1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
Trump went on social media and essentially accused Wallace of contriving the whole noose narrative.
—
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Leslie contrives to get Eva the job of personal assistant to the busy psychiatrist early on by, well, running the previous assistant off the road in a motorcycle chase.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Their approach is casual yet considered, charming without being contrived.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
But our associates, who are assigned to each show, adapt the teaching of the illusions to the needs of the performers, because illusions have to feel natural to not appear contrived.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025
Leslie contrives to get Eva the job of personal assistant to the busy psychiatrist early on by, well, running the previous assistant off the road in a motorcycle chase.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 30 Apr. 2025
Their approach is casual yet considered, charming without being contrived.
—Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
But our associates, who are assigned to each show, adapt the teaching of the illusions to the needs of the performers, because illusions have to feel natural to not appear contrived.
—Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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Directors: Scout Purdy & Doug Purdy After a series of revelations, 15-year-old Joe devises a plan to cure her teen angst: a month-long pilgrimage filled with communication issues, terrible survival skills, and zero Wi-Fi—AKA a summer hiking trip with her father.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
22 May 2025
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Cabinet secretaries were sidelined, and staff members devised elaborate strategies to avoid placing him in situations that might expose his decline.—
Doug Friednash,
Denver Post,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Artillery missions had been plotted the night before.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 May 2025
-
The filmmaker puts aside the self-reflexive storytelling that has marked much of his work since he was first arrested in 2010, delivering a straightforward narrative that’s plotted like a good thriller but builds into a stark condemnation of abusive power.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
24 May 2025
Verb
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The manufacturing giant had resumed negotiating with the IAM union on May 22.—
Staff report,
Hartford Courant,
25 May 2025
-
But as state lawmakers negotiate the first state operating budget since the prison was shuttered, Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration is proposing that Stateville receive nearly as much funding as when the maximum security section of the facility was open.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Sydney Sweeney is an aspiring country singer who concocts a risky scheme to get some cash in the trailer for Americana.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2025
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While conspiracy theorists were busy concocting arguments for why the Dallas Mavericks, with only a 1.8 percent chance, landed the No. 1 pick and the opportunity to draft star Cooper Flagg, a different cloud hung over Chicago.—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Together, Henry and Lily navigate suffocating traditions, scheming relatives, and the long shadow cast by Henry’s estranged father.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 May 2025
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Alleged Years-Long Drugging and Theft Scheme Led to Killing of Super Bowl Reporter Adan Manzano On April 1, ABC News reported that a law enforcement source alleged that the pair had schemed via text message for years to drug and rob victims in multiple jurisdictions.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
6 May 2025
Verb
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Clinics often arrange hotel stays and local transfers.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
28 May 2025
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At Emery’s request, the club arranged a warm-weather camp in Dubai during the March international break, including a couple of friendlies against local teams.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
Verb
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And what if an amazing Jewish émigré scientist—Richard Dreyfuss, say—had already invented the technology?—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
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Now, the Entity intends to annihilate humanity in four days unless it can be taken offline by a key that accesses a gizmo in the Arctic Sea that connects to a whatsit that Ving Rhames’s weary Luther is attempting to invent from a makeshift hospital bed somewhere in the subway tunnels of London.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
Verb
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Navarro-Sanchez allegedly conspired with two co-defendants, Luis Carlos Davalos-Lopez, 27, and Gustavo Castro-Medina, 28, both of Mexico.—
Cara Tabachnick,
CBS News,
16 May 2025
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How exactly will all these elements conspire to gore one of our heroes?—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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