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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
The intentional pace helps in walking the thin line between good drama and contrived caricature, and every second of Touch stays well inside the territory of the former.
—
Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
After ending 2024 with successive Premier League defeats, Enzo Maresca’s side contrived to throw away a lead late on as Crystal Palace rallied to claim a draw at Selhurst Park.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
In an age where this sort of thing is incredibly important to advocates of authentic representation, the controversy seems more than a little silly and contrived.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Somehow, Lewandowski, who has scored just twice in seven league games, contrived to miss the ball almost completely as Oblak gathered.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive 
Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2024
After ending 2024 with successive Premier League defeats, Enzo Maresca’s side contrived to throw away a lead late on as Crystal Palace rallied to claim a draw at Selhurst Park.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 4 Jan. 2025
In an age where this sort of thing is incredibly important to advocates of authentic representation, the controversy seems more than a little silly and contrived.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024
Somehow, Lewandowski, who has scored just twice in seven league games, contrived to miss the ball almost completely as Oblak gathered.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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The pampering sanctuary, which includes seven treatment rooms, a sauna, and a plunge pool, was devised to celebrate the destination’s culture of massage, yoga, and well-being across experiences that speak to and rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Jan. 2025
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In Dallas, the city manager is the CEO, the person who devises the city's $5.2 billion budget and oversees over 13,000 employees.—
Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi,
Axios,
22 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Roseanne Barr, who was fired by Disney from her titular ABC show in 2018 at the height of its ratings prowess, is plotting a TV comeback.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2025
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Jacinto planned to take in the Hermès and Sacai shows in Paris before plotting his next steps.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Although Kessler is a high-profile litigator, including by leading high-profile antitrust lawsuits against the NCAA, NASCAR, U.S. Soccer, the NFL and other major sports defendants, litigators sometimes negotiate resolutions without having to go to court.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
25 Jan. 2025
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In other markets, inventory will be lower and there will be less room to negotiate.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Or a witch or wizard standing over a cauldron concocting life-altering potions.—
Simone Milasas,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
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Others were at it, too, with Aston Villa, Everton, Chelsea and Leicester City all concocting their own mutually beneficial deals to chase compliance.—
Philip Buckingham,
The Athletic,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Kudos on firing the assistant coaches as scape goats for the humiliating mistake of letting Xavier Mckinney walk away into an All-Pro season and forcing them to scheme around an unreliable Banks.—
Dan Duggan,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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Meanwhile, Dougherty Valley hit timely shots and schemed Stokes into favorable one-on-one matchups.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The company arranged for two Fox Sports personnel, Julian Edelman and Charissa Thompson, to do a tease of sorts just before kickoff of Fox’s Sunday telecast of the NFC Championship.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2025
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Over the weekend, Trump administration officials arranged another ride-along, that time in Chicago, for the daytime TV talk show star Dr. Phil McGraw.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN,
28 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Read Benjamin Wallace-Wells on the man who invented the conflict over critical race theory and Jessica Winter on the conservative activists using attacks on diversity to wage a wider battle on public education.—
Ian Crouch,
The New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2025
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Companies prey on insecurities, selling solutions to invented problems.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Ayala, 74, now faces racketeering charges brought by federal prosecutors in Sacramento, who allege the National City native conspired with members of the Sinaloa cartel to distribute methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl throughout the western United States.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Jan. 2025
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The three conspired with other Antioch police officers who were not indicted, prosecutors said in court.—
Nate Gartrell,
The Mercury News,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near contrive
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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