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
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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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This ignores a fundamental problem of innovation and inventiveness, which is that many of the innovative geniuses who devised transformative inventions failed to profit financially from their own ingenuity while more aggressive, entrepreneurial bystanders claimed credit and profit.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
-
The breath-freshener smell that Marks had devised was a combination of laurel leaves—peculiar to the modern sensibility, but not off-putting—and musk.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
10 July 2025
Verb
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These tariff rates range between 25% and 50%, with the highest tariff reserved for Brazil, where Trump has objected to the prosecution of the country’s former, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup.—
Cailey Gleeson,
jsonline.com,
14 July 2025
-
While Barry was making its way toward Texas, the White House was plotting destruction of its own.—
Elizabeth Kolbert,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
After putting together a career-best season, Norman Powell expected to negotiate a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.—
Ivan Carter,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 July 2025
-
Derby has reportedly offered Charlotte FC an $8 million transfer fee, which if accepted, would allow the English club to negotiate with Agyemang on a contract.—
Kels Dayton,
Hartford Courant,
11 July 2025
Verb
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For its 86th summer season, Del Mar has concocted a schedule filled with food-centric festivities, sips, handicapping and tips, blended in with world-class thoroughbred racing.—
Kelley Carlson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
At the end of the semester, Domokos asked him to concoct a simple algorithm to explore how tetrahedra balance.—
Elise Cutts,
Quanta Magazine,
25 June 2025
Verb
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The Giants will need to scheme Lawrence to keep four hands off him.—
Geoffrey Knox,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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And the audience was eager to be swept away on another escapade with these stylish and scheming women.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Horowitz spent decades arranging for Sondheim’s archives to come to the Library of Congress.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
13 July 2025
-
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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The brand that invented the nap dress is offering a sweet discount for the 4th: 20% off select styles, including many that are already on sale.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
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Despite the wheel’s immeasurable impact, no one is certain as to who invented it, or when and where it was first conceived.—
Kai James,
JSTOR Daily,
3 July 2025
Verb
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The death of Daniel Park, the Washington state man accused of conspiring to bomb a fertility clinic in California, is being investigated as a suicide, according to Park's former defense attorney.—
Scott MacFarlane
July 6,
CBS News,
6 July 2025
-
An indictment accuses Abrego Garcia of conspiring to bring immigrants into the United States illegally from various Central and South American countries.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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