1
as in gadgets
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in inventions
something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination
despite the many modern contrivances for saving time and labor, we seem to have less leisure and energy than ever before
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrivances
To be fair, most romance plotting is built on contrivances and guaranteed happily ever afters.
—
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Is the format—the set, the show structure, the million contrivances—part of the joke?
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Get past the contrivances, and the comedy has some perceptive observations about the way grief and secrets can color a relationship, plus some very trenchant commentary about the sorry state of the Los Angeles real estate market.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
In such an instance, the loosey-goosey facets might allow for a great deal of confusion, finger-pointing, and slippery contrivances.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
The characters are more thinly drawn, with shallow motivations in spite of the plot’s contrivances.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Nov. 2024
Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Is the format—the set, the show structure, the million contrivances—part of the joke?
—Ruby Tandoh, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025
Get past the contrivances, and the comedy has some perceptive observations about the way grief and secrets can color a relationship, plus some very trenchant commentary about the sorry state of the Los Angeles real estate market.
—Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
In such an instance, the loosey-goosey facets might allow for a great deal of confusion, finger-pointing, and slippery contrivances.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
The characters are more thinly drawn, with shallow motivations in spite of the plot’s contrivances.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivances
Noun
-
Check that all your kitchen appliances and gadgets work properly and are used regularly.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Oct. 2025
-
See which gadgets made a difference.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
About a decade ago, many economists took a more pessimistic view, arguing that inventions such as smartphones or even the internet had less of an economic impact than previous developments such as the airplane or the car.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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This year, the Switch 2 also made our list of the year’s top inventions.—
Merrill Fabry,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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By the 1970s, innovations in fertilizer, pesticide and crop development, along with farm subsidies, led to a glut of grain.—
Alice Callahan,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Previous innovations made cars faster, safer, and more efficient.—
Sterling Anderson,
Fortune,
15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrivances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivances. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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