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
The movie’s attempt to capture the discord is contrived at best, laughable at worst.
—
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
Athena’s husband’s problems are a little less of a ticking time bomb, but equally contrived.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
From patterns in basketry to painting, sculpture and even cave drawings, Indigenous peoples with no written language nevertheless contrive to preserve histories and cultures.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
Despite the Atkins decision and Florida’s own law on the issue, death row prisoners claiming to be mentally disabled still face an obstacle of legalisms contrived to favor the executioner.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive 
Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 10 Dec. 2024
Athena’s husband’s problems are a little less of a ticking time bomb, but equally contrived.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024
From patterns in basketry to painting, sculpture and even cave drawings, Indigenous peoples with no written language nevertheless contrive to preserve histories and cultures.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
Despite the Atkins decision and Florida’s own law on the issue, death row prisoners claiming to be mentally disabled still face an obstacle of legalisms contrived to favor the executioner.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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Plans are devised to miss an hour of work to catch the second half of an unexpectedly tight game between a ranked power conference team and a frisky mid-major.—
Mark Schindler,
The Athletic,
10 Jan. 2025
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The grant money will initially go to the state of North Carolina, and the governor’s office will devise a plan for how to distribute it, HUD spokesperson Zachary Nosanchuk said.—
Ames Alexander,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Paper maps of the area with at least two evacuation routes plotted.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Jan. 2025
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President-elect Trump and congressional Republicans are plotting how to address the nation’s debt limit this year.—
Aris Folley,
The Hill,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In 2022, the Israeli parliamentarian Naftali Bennett recalled negotiating with Netanyahu after a recent election failed to yield a clear winner.—
Ruth Margalit,
The New Yorker,
13 Jan. 2025
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The labor action sprang up almost a month ago at the height of the Christmas package delivery season, with workers at Amazon facilities dotted across the country picketing for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, and a demand that Amazon negotiate with them on a contract.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
13 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In what may well be a spy movie for actual adults, director Soderbergh and screenwriter David Koepp concoct a moody drama steeped in espionage, marital trust issues and, one hopes, prime opportunities for playing the pause, the side-eye and the steely glare along with the words.—
Michael Phillips,
Chicago Tribune,
2 Jan. 2025
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Years later, both young women said under oath that police pressured them, using aggressive interrogation tactics that led them to concoct stories about Cox that were not true.—
Defne Karabatur,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Multiple law enforcement officials have warned of bad actors scheming to take advantage of charitable people looking to chip in and give to those in need due to the fires.—
Julia Reinstein,
ABC News,
12 Jan. 2025
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New York Jets: Anthony Weaver Anthony Weaver's ability to scheme and develop defenses will be a massive asset for a Jets team that needs a head coach to help get the most out of its young players.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
11 Jan. 2025
Verb
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McGahn arranged a memo warning Trump the move could lead to his impeachment.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA TODAY,
15 Jan. 2025
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One day before TikTok star Deborah Finck died of rare soft tissue cancer, her daughter Katerina arranged a meaningful memory.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The iconic sports drink was invented at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in 1965.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2025
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Biden didn't invent that approach, Turner said—the rhetoric and framing from this White House largely matches that from Barack Obama's—but Biden delivered on growth and jobs in the clean tech sector in ways that previous administrations did not.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In September, a jury of a dozen Ada County residents unanimously sided with Big City Coffee owner Sarah Fendley, who argued that the administrators violated her First Amendment right to free speech while conspiring to close her campus shop near the university’s library in October 2020.—
Angela Palermo,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Jan. 2025
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Smith’s report would provide the fullest description yet of the investigation that led to Trump's indictments for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contrive
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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