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
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
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
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Big-ticket gadgets just dropped in price on Amazon today, and the savings are huge.—
Shubham Yewale,
PC Magazine,
3 Sep. 2025
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In the '80s, KITT's diagnostic abilities and the futuristic medical gadgets in Star Trek IV mesmerized us.—
Sanath Chilakala,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Their investigation leads them to Dayal (Soubin Shahir) and Simon (Nagarjuna), members of a crime syndicate using one of Rajasekar's inventions — a chair-like contraption with the ability to cremate bodies — for their own nefarious purposes.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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Patents provide a crucial incentive by giving creators exclusive rights to their inventions for a set period, ensuring that others cannot simply copy and profit from their hard work.—
Kenneth Braithwaite,
Fortune,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The same investment-as-a-service (IaaS) framework that powers these financial innovations is now being adapted across various sectors.—
Charles Morey,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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With a suite of eleven essential newsletters, including Flagship for daily insights, Principals for Washington insiders, Africa for analysis from the continent, Business and Media, Semafor is redefining the news experience by pioneering journalistic innovations from Semaform to Signals.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrivances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivances. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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