as in concocting
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
she quickly devised a new scheme when the first one failed
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Recent Examples of devising
Last week, the council voted 9–6 to direct the city manager to study moving its emergency operations, dispatch and service call center out of City Hall while devising funding plans for repairing the aging building, staying there and relocating.
—
Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
While Green gave him instant advice, Kerr was devising ways to get Porzingis involved.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
These plots require communication among Iranian handlers and those tasked with gathering weapons, selecting targets, and devising operational plans.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the property has undergone a refresh, with local architect and interior designer Pietro Castagna devising a homey yet modern aesthetic in wilful contrast to the opulent features and intricate façades of the region’s other lakeside villas.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
The crew behind Welcome To Wrexham, the documentary series that has helped transform the north Wales club into a global sports phenomenon, have also been putting in long hours since the last-16 draw was made just over two weeks ago, devising storylines and planning for the big day.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Among the iconic polymath’s many (many) achievements, the 15th century thinker is famous for devising an angled contraption to help his experiments exploring friction physics.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Health ministry officials and the ministry of trade are also devising tax breaks to incentivize local manufacturing, said Modise.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Devyani Chhetri, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 2026
While Green gave him instant advice, Kerr was devising ways to get Porzingis involved.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
These plots require communication among Iranian handlers and those tasked with gathering weapons, selecting targets, and devising operational plans.
—Colin P. Clarke, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the property has undergone a refresh, with local architect and interior designer Pietro Castagna devising a homey yet modern aesthetic in wilful contrast to the opulent features and intricate façades of the region’s other lakeside villas.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
The crew behind Welcome To Wrexham, the documentary series that has helped transform the north Wales club into a global sports phenomenon, have also been putting in long hours since the last-16 draw was made just over two weeks ago, devising storylines and planning for the big day.
—Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Among the iconic polymath’s many (many) achievements, the 15th century thinker is famous for devising an angled contraption to help his experiments exploring friction physics.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026
Health ministry officials and the ministry of trade are also devising tax breaks to incentivize local manufacturing, said Modise.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
The 40-year-old cooks up ways to make quarterbacks miserable in his sleep, devising schemes that are meant to lure as much as they are intended to confuse.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for devising
Verb
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As Gyllenhaal begins concocting her third directorial feature, could Curtis be part of the picture?—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
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Gyllenhaal, who also wrote her film, has corrected the imbalance, refashioning the story from the Bride’s perspective and concocting a protagonist of unfiltered feminist fury.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Worse than constructing a Frankenstein’s Monster of mismatched compliance regulations, HB-1054 expands private litigation in a way that is tailor-made for abuse.—
Chris Richardson,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
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Iran has spent decades constructing underground bunkers for a range of purposes and contingencies.—
Lucia I Suarez Sang,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While both Iowa and Indiana claim bragging rights for inventing the sandwich, the exact origin remains as delightfully fuzzy as a diner countertop debate.—
Susan Stapleton,
Des Moines Register,
4 Mar. 2026
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Cole Winn, a one-time failed starter who is re-inventing his life as a reliever, cruises through the sixth.—
Tim Cowlishaw,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That means the public officials designing the dredging project have a stark choice to make, scientists say.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Mar. 2026
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After designing Bessette-Kennedy’s dress, Rodriguez launched his own label and a fragrance line, and has continued to create designs that are woven into the fabric of American history — Michelle Obama wore his dress on election night in 2008.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Devising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/devising. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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