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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of contrive
That’s a problem, because the emphasis on minor personality conflicts between the riders feels contrived, especially given that all these folks seem to be as nice as they are talented.
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Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Conclave also adds a few too many contrived twists in its quest for narrative drama, but the movie moves nimbly enough to avoid a collapse into pure fantasy.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
So officials have implemented a triage system, working on long-term plans to install cooling systems across the district while contriving temporary fixes like portable air conditioners or floor fans for the hottest classrooms, DiNardi said.
—Joan Meiners and Katie Worth, The Arizona Republic, 1 Oct. 2024
What makes this especially beguiling is that the fakery is usually hard to spot and tends to be contrived in a manner that leads you to believe the output is true.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive 
Noel Murray, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2024
Conclave also adds a few too many contrived twists in its quest for narrative drama, but the movie moves nimbly enough to avoid a collapse into pure fantasy.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024
So officials have implemented a triage system, working on long-term plans to install cooling systems across the district while contriving temporary fixes like portable air conditioners or floor fans for the hottest classrooms, DiNardi said.
—Joan Meiners and Katie Worth, The Arizona Republic, 1 Oct. 2024
What makes this especially beguiling is that the fakery is usually hard to spot and tends to be contrived in a manner that leads you to believe the output is true.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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Campus police had no effective plan to work with external law enforcement and failed to take command on the night of the melee — leading the LAPD and the California Highway Patrol to devise an ad hoc response.Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 12 Dec. 2024
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Following the previous example, the team that devised the solution did not start with that change in mind.Hunter McMahon, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed by the Justice Department special counsel that brought them in light of Trump's November victory.Compiled by Democrat-Gazette staff from wire reports, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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As the trailer revealed, Aleksei becomes the Rhino, plotting to take over Nikolai’s empire and kill Kraven.David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Forum helps match clients with tutors who fit their needs, handles payments, negotiates rates for each tutor and markets them.Emma Whitford, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Thousands of Amazon workers at the company's first-ever unionized warehouse voted to authorize a strike on Friday, claiming the tech giant has refused to recognize the union and negotiate a contract at the New York City facility.Max Zahn, ABC News, 13 Dec. 2024
Verb
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While serving in Joe Biden’s Justice Department, the special counsel concocted a novel legal case against Biden’s foremost political opponent and would have been happy to try Donald Trump in the midst of the presidential election campaign.Rich Lowry, National Review, 10 Dec. 2024
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Reminiscent of the classic strawberry frosted sprinkle donut, Dunkin' concocted a sugar cookie iced to perfection with vibrant pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles.Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch plots to steal Christmas away from the holiday-loving Whos. Details: 7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Aronoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St., Downtown.Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 11 Dec. 2024
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In the series, the heist occurs over a few hours, as the thieves schemed to replace the barrels with lake water.Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The exhibition also gives visitors a chance to arrange their own bento box with the replica treats.Rosa Rahimi, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024
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With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested that the base's command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia.David Brennan, ABC News, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Yes, Chrysler invented the minivan, but that was decades ago.Chris Isidore, CNN, 5 Dec. 2024
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Founded by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, Max is immediately recognized for inventing the rotoscope, a technique where animators trace a projection of live-action footage frame by frame to produce realistic character movements.Marc Berman, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Rivera also admitted in his plea agreement to conspiring with Francisco Javier, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2007 in San Diego federal court.Alex Riggins, The Mercury News, 5 Dec. 2024
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Zeidman pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit mail and wire fraud.Kerry Breen, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near contrive
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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