1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
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
Hayek’s laissez-faire styling wasn’t contrived, either.
—Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
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
Hayek’s laissez-faire styling wasn’t contrived, either.
—Rosa Rahimi, CNN Money, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
-
In Season 3, Pink Guard No-eul devises a plan to rescue Gyeong-seok (Player 246) and get him safely off the island.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Under the system of graft O’Connor devised, out-of-town crooks checked in with an underworld go-between, who would collect their name, address and a cash bribe.—
Nick Woltman,
Twin Cities,
28 June 2025
Verb
-
The State of Connecticut on Wednesday dropped criminal contempt charges against Michelle Troconis, who’s already serving more than 14 years for helping plot the murder of her then-boyfriend’s estranged wife, Jennifer Farber Dulos.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2025
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Sitting around the long table in the Cabinet Room, Netanyahu reminded Trump that Iran had plotted to assassinate him, according to one of the officials who attended the meeting.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
19 June 2025
Verb
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The Englishman is represented by his mother Marcia Lewis, who negotiated the deal with Arsenal.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
18 June 2025
-
Authorities spent hours trying to negotiate a peaceful surrender, police said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
Verb
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Renato Paiva concocted a bold scheme that saw his Botafogo defend in an aggressively high line and limit PSG’s space.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Schifrin concocted a jazz waltz in 3/4 time for the theme to the Mike Connors series Mannix — also produced by Geller — and played the Moog synthesizer on the opening music for another 1960s’ CBS drama, Medical Center.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2025
Verb
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The teacher becomes a hapless victim in what appear to be highly improbable situations, orchestrated by a cartoonishly scheming Ritsuko to frame Seichii.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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Its guilelessness is the complete opposite of the conniving, scheming, unscrupulousness that now dominates political discourse among the legacy media, politicians, and even America-last artists like Springsteen.—
Armond White,
National Review,
18 June 2025
Verb
-
Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter has rushed to arrange a commission vote, ratifying it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
20 June 2025
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Attentive staffers will be on hand for towel drops and spritz refills, as well as to help arrange water sports or beach games.—
Cameron Sperance,
Travel + Leisure,
20 June 2025
Verb
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Vet Vendors Thoroughly There’s a lot of AI hype out there, with everyone claiming to have the greatest solution since the internet was invented.—
David Kelley,
Forbes.com,
24 June 2025
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Humankind has been freed from sickness and pain after a Nobel Prize-winning neuroscientist, Dr. Skinner, invented a miracle cure-all drug with no apparent side effects called Hapuna.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
20 June 2025
Verb
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The Justice Department indicted him in May on two counts of conspiring to smuggle and transport migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Ecuador into the U.S.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
25 June 2025
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The men were charged and later pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute narcotics, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.—
Mitchell Willetts,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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