1
as in gadgets
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use
a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Yes, the glossy aesthetic occasionally dulls the impact of the director’s more tactile sensibilities, and a few script contrivances stretch believability.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
The script, also by Ahn, leans slightly too much on contrivances to nudge the relationship along.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
In another area of the factory, machines installed four years earlier already lack certain even-more-modern contrivances.
—Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Dara’s performance remains its only bright element but even that gets lost in the many surrounding contrivances.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
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
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
The script, also by Ahn, leans slightly too much on contrivances to nudge the relationship along.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026
In another area of the factory, machines installed four years earlier already lack certain even-more-modern contrivances.
—Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025
Dara’s performance remains its only bright element but even that gets lost in the many surrounding contrivances.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Dec. 2025
These contrivances became so well known that, in 2009, the All-American Rejects guitarist Nick Wheeler spent much of his appearance mocking them.
—Kim Hew-Low, The Atlantic, 10 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivances
Noun
-
Across the street is Circus of Books, which has some unique gadgets and interesting literary selections.—
Jocelyn Silver,
Vogue,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Xiaomi makes some of China's best-selling cellphones, gadgets and cars.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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For centuries, people gathering in bars and pubs have found ways to occupy their time, whether that’s classic games like billiards and darts or more recent inventions like video games and mechanical bulls.—
Fritz Hahn,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
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The printing press, clocks, muskets — all these inventions changed humankind forever.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Browsing gets assistant Gemini in Chrome introduces new creative tools as well.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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Leadership teams are looking for the next initiative, and yet employees may be overwhelmed by a plethora of health tools, programs and perks.—
Serenity Gibbons,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Zhu highlighted innovations, such as the 2023 cross-border payment using digital RMB for precious metals.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Nashville residents should be prepared to potentially go without power for up to a week, said Brent Baker, executive vice president and chief operations and innovations officer of the Nashville Electric Service.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrivances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivances. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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