contrivance
noun
con·triv·ance
kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s 
1
a
: a thing contrived
especially
: a mechanical device
modern contrivances to cook food faster
b
: an artificial arrangement or development
Mistaken identity is used as a plot contrivance in the story.
2
: the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived
Synonyms
Examples of contrivance in a Sentence
The story is filled with plot contrivances that do not fit the ending.
He told the story honestly and without contrivance.
a contrivance to get out of doing the work
He convinced her to go without using contrivance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond the contrivances and unwieldy pieces in Riegel’s screenplay, a sensibility that’s coherent and urgent builds.
—
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024
There’s a certain laziness to the storytelling, as Perkins relies on tired serial-killer tropes to skip over the film’s more egregious contrivances.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 July 2024
His exclusion from the presidential debates confirms the ongoing contrivance to limit the impact of his candidacy.
—David Marks, Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for contrivance 
Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024
There’s a certain laziness to the storytelling, as Perkins relies on tired serial-killer tropes to skip over the film’s more egregious contrivances.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 July 2024
His exclusion from the presidential debates confirms the ongoing contrivance to limit the impact of his candidacy.
—David Marks, Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2024
Lee: Agreed—and there are even more of those contrivances popping up around how the One Power seems to function, especially around stilling and gentling and shielding.
—Andrew Cunningham & Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 29 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for contrivance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrivance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contrivance
Cite this Entry
“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrivance. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contrivance
noun
con·triv·ance
kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s
: something (as a scheme or mechanical device) produced with skill and cleverness
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