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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Recent Examples of contrive
Walt Disney himself could not have contrived a better (or faster) voice for one of his unlikely talking animals.
—
Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
In fact, America’s interests are undermined when aid is poorly contrived and not rigorously evaluated.
—Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Not all movies need to serve up profound insights into the human condition, but the ones that don’t should at least be entertaining, and Twohy’s particular strain of absurdism is not just contrived, but deeply unfunny.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
The moral guardrails that hold our society together are not anything contrived by humans, but given by God.
—Lauren Green, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025
In fact, America’s interests are undermined when aid is poorly contrived and not rigorously evaluated.
—Ted Yoho, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025
Not all movies need to serve up profound insights into the human condition, but the ones that don’t should at least be entertaining, and Twohy’s particular strain of absurdism is not just contrived, but deeply unfunny.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025
The moral guardrails that hold our society together are not anything contrived by humans, but given by God.
—Lauren Green, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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With the annual awards show slated to stream live on Hulu for the first time, alongside its regular broadcast on ABC, Disney devised packages that took sponsorships well beyond the program itself.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
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To make this work, Dykstra devised a way to combine a film camera with a computer, enabling each ship-miniature movement to be repeated precisely over multiple runs, at different angles: a system known as motion control.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Was only the first season really plotted out in any meaningful way?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
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Black sharecroppers and tenant farmers were plotting an insurrection.—
Christmaelle Vernet & Kathy Roberts Forde / Made by History,
TIME,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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During the meeting, Trump berated Zelensky, accusing him of insufficient gratitude for U.S. military support and pressuring him to negotiate a peace deal with Russia under terms dictated by the Trump administration.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
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Cole has argued Republicans are not bound to an agreement negotiated by two men no longer in office.—
Kevin Freking,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Matthew Rankin, a Canadian historian and prankster, has concocted a starkly enchanting Winnipeg where Farsi is the main language of storefronts, guided tours and everyday grievances, like the woman who gripes about sharing a bus with a live turkey.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
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Taking this idea and combining it with an attention to convenience and versatility while cooking, Heinz concocted three new products ready to be devoured.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Trump pardoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who spent eight years in prison on multiple corruption charges, including scheming to sell a vacant Senate seat.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
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Throughout the 26-day game, players will build shelter, survive with meager food and hunt their own, compete in exhausting challenges and be forced to scheme and backstab to vote out other players.—
Emily DeLetter,
USA TODAY,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Three years later, Ade arranged a romantic trip to Italy for the couple with the intention of asking Houston to be his wife.—
Megan Pinckney Rutherford,
Vogue,
4 Mar. 2025
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In 1894, Ah Say arranged to have a hundred-and-thirty-foot ceremonial dragon delivered for the community’s annual New Year celebration.—
Michael Luo,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Greg Norman at the 1996 Masters is why Dr. Heimlich invented his maneuver, no argument there.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
7 Mar. 2025
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Read: How Bong Joon Ho invented the weird world of Parasite Not much of Mickey 17 makes sense at first blush.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This is the second homicide the prison has reported this year, which includes the attack on Rude. Kennedy was accused of conspiring with Yates to kill Rude last month, CDCR said.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacramento Bee,
8 Mar. 2025
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In May 2023, a jury found Lori guilty of murdering Tylee and J.J. and of conspiring to murder Tammy, as well as of grand theft.—
Jessica Sager,
People.com,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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