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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of contrive
None more so than how Conor Coady and Arthur Okonkwo contrived to gift Burrell the third goal from what was effectively an aimless long punt forward.
—
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
California policymakers continue to make laws and allow regulators to contrive rules that make California a land of perdition rather than destination for enterprise because they have been captured by left-of-center interests.
—Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
His perpetual ease — spontaneous and never contrived — has always held a deep fascination for me and for my creativity.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Sure, much of the drama and plot feels contrived, but that’s true for many reality-show first seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
California policymakers continue to make laws and allow regulators to contrive rules that make California a land of perdition rather than destination for enterprise because they have been captured by left-of-center interests.
—Kerry Jackson, Oc Register, 13 Sep. 2025
His perpetual ease — spontaneous and never contrived — has always held a deep fascination for me and for my creativity.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2025
Sure, much of the drama and plot feels contrived, but that’s true for many reality-show first seasons.
—Olivia Crandall, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
-
More than 50 years passed before Kansas City artist and sculptor Dale Eldred in 1990 devised a workable design.—
Eric Adler,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Ultimately, the researchers believe the hottest engine ever devised will help the scientific community better understand thermodynamics.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The Shiz University roommates initially clash before forming a friendship, which is tested at the end of the first movie when the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum), who secretly plots to silence the talking animals of Oz, comes between them.—
Eric Andersson,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
Casanovas and Benlloch are plotting a continued, healthy expansion.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The White House has not yet negotiated lower prices on IVF drugs from other manufacturers.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
16 Oct. 2025
-
The only long-term solution — in my view — is a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank whose borders are negotiated with Israel.—
Thomas L. Friedman,
Mercury News,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In the new Indonesian horror flick The Elixir, a new herbal potion concocted by a traditional medicine doctor accidentally wakes the dead, and now all Hell is breaking loose.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In Return From the Ashes (1965), Eggar schemed to murder her stepmother (Ingrid Thulin), a concentration camp survivor.—
Chris Koseluk,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Dissecting film and scheming up plays went from duty to obsession.—
Brian Hamilton,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In a feat of logistics, the production miraculously arranged the shooting schedule so that every principal actor’s final scene on the show was also their last day of filming — something the Duffers have been freshly reliving again and again in the edit bay.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
-
However, for years, police suspected that Charles arranged the murder of Markel.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There’s no manual on how to invent forgeries.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Rendezvous recently secured $3 million in pre-seed funding to commercialize the technology invented while Ekblaw was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Piñate, Vasquez and Smartmatic are each charged with conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The company is alleged to have conspired to bribe foreign officials as a way to get business in the Philippines.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share