contrive

verb

con·​trive kən-ˈtrīv 

contrived; contriving

transitive verb

1

a

: devise, plan

contrive ways of handling the situation

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.

b

: to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner

contrived household utensils from stone

Native Americans contrived weapons out of stone, wood, and bone.

2

: to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty : manage

he contrived to win their support

intransitive verb

: to make schemes

contriver noun

Synonyms

• concoct
• construct
• cook (up)
• devise
• drum up
• excogitate
• fabricate
• invent
• make up
• manufacture
• think (up)
• trump up
• vamp (up)

Examples of contrive in a Sentence

The prisoners contrived a way to escape.

He contrived a meeting with the president.

Recent Examples on the Web

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find — more at troubadour

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

contrive

verb

con·​trive kən-ˈtrīv 

contrived; contriving

1

: plan entry 2 sense 1, plot

contrive a way to escape

2

: to form or make in a skillful or clever way : invent

3

: bring about, manage

contriving to make ends meet

contriver noun