1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plot
to engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends
the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in to negotiate
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care
contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
The entire deal felt cheesy and contrived.
—
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Prosecutors with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office claim Heskett contrived a story that he had been attacked by a man near a trail in the state park.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Prosecutors with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office claim Heskett contrived a story that he had been attacked by a man near a trail in the state park.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
-
The diner offers certificates of completion for those who finish the trek, and devised a burger named for the route.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2026
-
In March, the school board directed the superintendent to devise a plan to eliminate 3,000 job positions over three years to save about $250 million.—
Amanda Rosa,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
Verb
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All the men were accused of plotting in South Florida and hiring a squad of former Colombian soldiers to violently overthrow Haiti’s president in a coup scheme that turned from his ouster to his assassination a couple of weeks before his death.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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This was Boston’s first opening-round exit since 2021 (and only its second since 2016), so Stevens and his lieutenants will have more time than usual to plot their next moves.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Peace proposals are usually negotiated behind closed doors; threats are seldom made publicly.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
12 May 2026
-
That expiration would allow Iran to resume some nuclear activities, as in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated under President Barack Obama.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
12 May 2026
Verb
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And she’s spent a decade scaling her brand into an industry disrupter; Ellsworth began concocting prebiotic drinks in 2015, founding her business just one year later.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
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Cocktails are concocted by in-house mixologist, Waguinho, who also invites guests from the local mixology community to arrange tastings.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Fans are already scheming how this might happen — whether Kahan releases a deluxe version of The Great Divide and Bridgers appears, or something else entirely.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
9 May 2026
-
One word came up repeatedly in a federal courtroom in Kansas City, Kansas, on Wednesday as the government laid out its case in the racketeering conspiracy trial of former Boilermakers executives accused of scheming to steal $20 million in union funds.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Soon, survey crews showed up, bulldozers were spotted along dusty roads, and the Army Corps of Engineers arranged private meetings.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
The spa There’s no spa, but morning yoga and pilates classes are hosted on the rooftop and the hotel can help arrange in-room massage treatments.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
What to do nearby The sea around these parts is where legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau invented scuba diving.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 May 2026
-
The Moreno brothers, who grew up in Puebla, Mexico, did not invent birria or its deployment on tortillas gilded in beef fat.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In October 2025, the Justice Department announced Smartmatic was charged with conspiring to bribe foreign officials and money laundering to allegedly win business in the Philippines.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
-
The universe has conspired to give me the proper perspective.—
Lacey Rose,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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