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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
Ajax contriving to finish second having led by nine points with five games to go.
—
Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 May 2025
But when Arthur is released unharmed, rumors fly that the whole thing was a plot contrived by the son to extort money from his father.
—Caroline Fraser
june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
Her lawyers say she was framed for the death in an elaborate conspiracy contrived by Massachusetts cops.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 21 May 2025
These have almost exclusively been in carefully contrived experiments that almost beg the AI to misbehave—for example, by asking it to pursue its goal at all costs.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Phil Hay, New York Times, 19 May 2025
But when Arthur is released unharmed, rumors fly that the whole thing was a plot contrived by the son to extort money from his father.
—Caroline Fraser
june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025
Her lawyers say she was framed for the death in an elaborate conspiracy contrived by Massachusetts cops.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 21 May 2025
These have almost exclusively been in carefully contrived experiments that almost beg the AI to misbehave—for example, by asking it to pursue its goal at all costs.
—Harry Booth, Time, 3 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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As the Panthers’ general manager from 2013 to just before the 2017 season began, Gettleman devised the rosters that pushed Carolina to four playoff berths in five years.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
17 July 2025
-
Participants identify challenges in their communities and devise local, innovative solutions to address them.—
Cynthia Tully,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Heading into the summer, Howe and the decision-makers at St James’ Park were surely plotting how to move forward again.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
26 July 2025
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Reiko Matsumura, a Yolo County sheriff’s deputy, is named on property records for a home and farmland plotted beside her sister Tammy’s property, where the explosions took place.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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This month, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro negotiated a prisoner swap with the United States, releasing 10 American citizens in his custody and dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
24 July 2025
-
The sale of the home entertainment rights was negotiated by Brian Andreotti on behalf of Music Box Films and Workman.—
Addie Morfoot,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Verb
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Free to experiment, distillers are concocting playful new expressions that summon the sea to your glass.—
Camille Berry,
Vogue,
15 July 2025
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It’s well established that the Trump-Russia hoax was concocted to harm Trump, but Ratcliffe’s move is a prosecutorial dead end.—
Andrew C. McCarthy,
National Review,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Humans could scheme and possibly find a means of turning off AI or otherwise defeating AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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Charles Lee is, too, in his own way, given that Sexton provides the Hornets coach with another weapon to force the opposition to scheme for.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
17 July 2025
Verb
-
Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
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The controversy comes at a time the United States is trying to arrange a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Verb
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As the answers to these questions emerge, your brand isn't invented; it's just revealed.—
Maha Abouelenein,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Trump didn’t invent that, but no other politician has ever devoted himself to widening that gulf between the two factions with such maniacal commitment.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Pryor, 36, accused the defendants of conspiring to violate antitrust law and unjustly enriching themselves.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
19 July 2025
-
Clean Your Gutters Even if everything inside is ready to battle hot, humid air, your home’s exterior forces may be conspiring against you.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
17 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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