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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
Well, the first and third mucked up their stories with some overly contrived lore about cults and gods, and the fourth was an experiment for the formula that didn’t quite work.
—
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Director Ellenstein had the aha moment earlier this decade of contriving a work about Eisenhower and the accomplished playwright and Orange County native, Richard Hellesen, took on the task of writing it.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
Director Ellenstein had the aha moment earlier this decade of contriving a work about Eisenhower and the accomplished playwright and Orange County native, Richard Hellesen, took on the task of writing it.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 20 Jan. 2026
In one of the most deal-ridden and far too often contrived places on the globe, Steny was straightforward, smart, wise, direct, honest on the real odds about anything and everything, and blessed with a sense of humor that, if saintly in purpose, was devilishly clever in delivery.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2026
The language of manifesting your dreams into reality might sound nonsensical or contrived, but to JOP, his magical thinking became his saving grace.
—Andrea Flores
jan. 8, Los Angeles Times, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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This long-standing principle originated with Robert Freilich, a consultant hired in the early 1970s by Mayor Pete Wilson to devise a growth management strategy for San Diego.—
Nico Calavita,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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Just days after German tanks rolled into Denmark in April 1940, Allied officials huddled to devise ways to protect Ivittuut’s magical mineral.—
Thomas Robertson,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Now there could be an M&A frenzy in the works as prospective buyers plot ways to carve up his representation empire.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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Unsurprisingly the two are already plotting more projects together.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Jackson also helped negotiate the release of hostages in Iraq and Cuba, and the two welcomed some of them home at the airport.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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But the university, like so many others – Penn State and James Franklin (owed $49 million; negotiated down after he was hired by Virginia Tech), LSU and Brian Kelly (owed $54 million); Jimbo Fisher and Texas A&M (owed $76 million) – tied itself to a bad deal and now doesn’t want to pay.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Since the advent of TV and radio, public figures have concocted deliberate soundbites to stick out and persuade the public.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Reporters including Sheen can be seen concocting covert plots to meet with them face to face, the success or failure of which briefly becomes an intense point of interest.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the Labour Party and beyond, the revelation that Mandelson was scheming with Epstein to try to soften one of his own government’s policies generated outrage.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
16 Feb. 2026
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Providing additional comic and vocal support were Craig Colclough as the scheming Don Basilio, Tasha Hoduao Koontz as Bartolo’s disapproving maid Berta and Joseph Calzada as Fiorello.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The under-$30 wreath features silk daisies, eucalyptus leaves, jasmine, lavender, wildflowers, and delicate berry clusters arranged on a sturdy 24-inch frame for a pop of color that feels cheerful, not overdone.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Feb. 2026
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While there isn’t an on-site salon, the team at Asaya can arrange in-room hair styling, nail, or makeup services upon request.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That all stopped once the dreaded *69 was invented, and with just three buttons people could discover who was on the other end of the line.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Feb. 2026
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Yet, like Bessette’s relationship with the Kennedy family scion, her eternity band is shrouded in mystery—imperfectly recorded through rumors, second-hand accounts, and myths invented by the press and populace.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bowden and three other physicians sued doctors, medical boards and the Federation of State Medical Boards, accusing them of conspiring to punish doctors who opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates and treatments that did not adhere to medical boards’ guidelines.—
Evan MacDonald,
Houston Chronicle,
13 Feb. 2026
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They are accused of conspiring to deprive congregants of their religious rights and of interfering with access to a place of worship.—
Samuel Oakford,
Washington Post,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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