CONTRIVING Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

contriving

verb

present participle of contrive

as in devising

to create or think of by clever use of the imagination contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils

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as in plotting

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

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as in negotiating

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 contriving Even his courtship with Bess Wallace was accented by Truman contriving a tennis court for her — the dynamics of which are captured through photos of and letters about his efforts. —

Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026 The profligacy, for sure, with Everton contriving to surrender a 1-0 lead in the space of eight remarkable second-half minutes in which defender Jake O’Brien was also sent off. —

Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 Feb. 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 By eschewing salaries, lobbying Congress to gut the estate tax, and contriving elaborate writeoffs and work-arounds, the very rich have placed much of their wealth beyond the reach of the state. —

The New Yorker, New Yorker, 22 Dec. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contriving

Verb

Counties across the state have been pondering this crisis and devising solutions that can be accomplished in partnership with our state leaders — because this crisis is unquestionably our shared responsibility to solve.

— Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 May 2026
Rue frantically offered to help get Alamo's money back, calling Faye (Chloe Cherry) up on the phone and devising a plan to get a safe key from Wayne (Toby Wallace).

— Erin Jensen, USA Today, 18 May 2026