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
-
No matter when or how many times the Eagles run the tush push at Lambeau Field, the Packers must devise a way to do what at times seems impossible because of one, how good the Eagles are at it, and two, how the play is officiated.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The project is part of NASA’s SIMPLEx, or Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration, program, which aims to spur researchers and companies to devise ways to use small spacecraft to carry out science investigations for pennies on the dollar.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
According to the outlets, prosecutors told jurors that Urick and Tara, then 17, plotted her grandmother's murder for several weeks.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Gray and Rockett checked the bus schedule on Gray’s phone and began plotting their course.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
This has given the conflict a religious coloration, and political elites have also chosen to politicize the conflict to negotiate power and other interests, which has complicated the problem.—
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
One head of a negotiating delegation told CNN they were being charged more than $20,000 for two weeks in a three-bedroom apartment.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Bedecking the old fish-out-of-water story formula in holiday garb and tinseling it with some apt moral messages for this dysfunctional age, screenwriters Leo Benvenuti and Steve Rudnick have concocted a satisfyingly new-fangled Christmas yarn.—
Duane Byrge,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The menu at Otaleg is constantly evolving, as Radicioni experiments with new combinations in his gelato laboratory, often concocting head-turning flavors based on his favorite savory dishes.—
Nina Ruggiero,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As part of a Home Instead ad campaign, the actor reprised his role as the movie's scheming protagonist, now all grown up.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Nov. 2025
-
No Warriors were involved, but Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups — as well as Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier — was arrested and charged with scheming to rig underground poker games.—
Evan Webeck,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The goal of the program, arranged through the hotel concierge, is to encourage discovery of the soul of an area through bold design, local culture, and meaningful connections.—
Robb Report Studio,
Robb Report,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Insofar as it is left to the invisible hand to arrange these matters, this scenario seems truly unavoidable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Putnam raised the example of how, during the previous upswing, organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts were invented just a few years apart, because people recognized that young people needed mentors.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
James Cameron continues to invent new technology to make films, and that does not end with the third installment of the Avatar saga.—
Fred Topel,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In Newark, Jimenez-Guzel and Mirreh face charges of conspiring to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, The Associated Press reported.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
-
All three suspects, including Nasser, were charged with conspiring to provide material support to ISIS and having firearms that would be used to commit an act of terrorism on behalf of ISIS.—
David Zimmermann,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share