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
But inexplicably, Villa contrived to lose the game, thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Emi Martinez’s sending off in the first half for a bizarre body-check on Rasmus Hojlund.
—
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
She’s encountered her share of both real and contrived rivalries — par for the course for most pop stars — but never anything explosive enough to disrupt her unbothered aura of tranquility.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
The arguments in favor of this working seem rather contrived.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.
—Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 20 May 2025
She’s encountered her share of both real and contrived rivalries — par for the course for most pop stars — but never anything explosive enough to disrupt her unbothered aura of tranquility.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025
The arguments in favor of this working seem rather contrived.
—Lee Billings, Scientific American, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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This ignores a fundamental problem of innovation and inventiveness, which is that many of the innovative geniuses who devised transformative inventions failed to profit financially from their own ingenuity while more aggressive, entrepreneurial bystanders claimed credit and profit.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
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The breath-freshener smell that Marks had devised was a combination of laurel leaves—peculiar to the modern sensibility, but not off-putting—and musk.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
10 July 2025
Verb
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Earlier this week, police arrested several people accused of plotting to overthrow the government and banned entry into the country, without explanation, for several people from Croatia and a theater director from Montenegro.—
Jovana Gec,
Los Angeles Times,
29 June 2025
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The dark comedy films, which also star Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis, follow friends who plot to murder their abusive bosses.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
28 June 2025
Verb
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Deals like those could get done before the official start time because teams are allowed to negotiate with their own free agents once the NBA Finals are finished.—
Tim Reynolds,
Chicago Tribune,
1 July 2025
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Years from now, there may not even be a need for agencies to negotiate and buy TV ad spots.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Verb
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For its 86th summer season, Del Mar has concocted a schedule filled with food-centric festivities, sips, handicapping and tips, blended in with world-class thoroughbred racing.—
Kelley Carlson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
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At the end of the semester, Domokos asked him to concoct a simple algorithm to explore how tetrahedra balance.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The finale's final moments bring viewers back to the Buckley fish house, where Belle finds scheming developer Wes Benson (Dave Annable) tied up and beaten to a pulp by Emmett.—
Allison DeGrushe Published,
EW.com,
29 June 2025
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Linda Sun, the former aide to Gov. Hochul and ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo accused of working as a Chinese agent, also schemed to steer $35 million in state contracts to two PPE vendors run by a cousin and her husband at the height of the COVID pandemic, according to new court filings.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
Verb
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In addition to their other tasks, house cleaners will arrange little items like these neatly.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 June 2025
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According to El País, Leyva traveled to the U.S. in April and tried to arrange meetings with high-profile Republicans including Florida U.S. Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The brand that invented the nap dress is offering a sweet discount for the 4th: 20% off select styles, including many that are already on sale.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
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Despite the wheel’s immeasurable impact, no one is certain as to who invented it, or when and where it was first conceived.—
Kai James,
JSTOR Daily,
3 July 2025
Verb
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The death of Daniel Park, the Washington state man accused of conspiring to bomb a fertility clinic in California, is being investigated as a suicide, according to Park's former defense attorney.—
Scott MacFarlane
July 6,
CBS News,
6 July 2025
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An indictment accuses Abrego Garcia of conspiring to bring immigrants into the United States illegally from various Central and South American countries.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.
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