Synonyms of contrive

contrive

verb

kən-ˈtrīv 

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

• devise
• concoct
• invent
• construct
• design
• manufacture
• produce
• think (up)
• excogitate
• come up with
• fabricate
• cook (up)
• drum up
• conceive
• make up
• hatch
• trump up
• envision
• imagine
• visualize
• improvise
• envisage
• vamp (up)
• dream
• fantasize
• coin
• vision
• daydream
• extemporize
• ad-lib
• picture

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• imitate
• reproduce
• replicate
• mimic
• copy
• duplicate
• clone
• reduplicate
• copycat

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

• plot
• scheme
• conspire
• plan
• connive
• collude
• devise
• machinate
• intrigue
• concoct
• compass
• manipulate
• engineer
• put up
• hatch
• design
• counterplot
• maneuver
• cook (up)
• brew
• shape
• map
• jockey
• lay out
• frame

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• negotiate
• arrange
• manipulate
• plot
• engineer
• manage
• maneuver
• conclude
• wangle
• machinate
• finagle
• frame
• finesse
• mastermind
• concoct
• scheme
• connive
• conduct
• concert
• work out
• hammer out
• intrigue
• handle
• hatch
• direct
• compass
• angle (for)
• brew
• cook (up)
• command
• run
• gerrymander
• captain
• quarterback

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• botch
• butcher
• blow
• bungle
• mangle
• gum (up)
• fumble
• mishandle
• mess (up)
• flub
• muff
• louse up
• bobble

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of contrive

Credibility gets strained pretty quickly as the playwrights contrive to get the characters to face each other in person. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026

Even his courtship with Bess Wallace was accented by Truman contriving a tennis court for her — the dynamics of which are captured through photos of and letters about his efforts. — Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026

Even if the stakes feel contrived, just enjoy watching two of the game’s greats go at it with a little something on the line, no matter how fleeting the feeling may be. — Tim Rohan, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026

Her early death, after an illness that the father initially contrives to ignore then notices just in time to capture her desperation in a fine sketch, leaves Mimí utterly disoriented, yearning only to achieve a level of self-control and detachment that will spare him their tumultuous struggle. — Tim Parks, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026