contriving

verb

Definition of contrivingnext
present participle of contrive
1
as in devising
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plotting
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 negotiating
to plan out usually with subtle skill or care contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contriving
  1. devising
  2. negotiating
  3. arranging
  4. inventing
  5. manipulating
Verb
  • As secretary of state, Rubio could run point on devising additional economic sanctions on Cuba, increasing funding for dissidents and pro-democracy programs that Havana considers tantamount to regime change, and further restricting US travel to Cuba.
    Patrick Oppmann, CNN, 8 Dec. 2024
  • Then again, standing up to bullies is inherently more dramatic than devising novel mail-filing strategies.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of devising
Verb
  • Watch on Deadline As Deadline reported in August, Yellowstone producers MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios had been negotiating with Reilly and Hauser for months.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Moving swiftly—accepting HTS’s ascendancy, negotiating pragmatic terms with Kurdish elements—might signal adaptability and secure Turkey’s seat at the table.
    Guney Yildiz, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of negotiating
Verb
  • Fundamentally, data modeling involves arranging data in a structured way to improve accessibility and use for a range of applications and analyses.
    Artyom Keydunov, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
  • Everyday materials and equipment easily found at home or from the grocery store or local specialty shops will be used to demystify the age old art of flower arranging.
    Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Definition of arranging
Verb
  • The French Quarter icon isn’t just any specialty grocery store, either—Salvatore Lupo, Tusa’s grandfather who immigrated from Sicily, is credited with inventing the legendary muffuletta right there at 923 Decatur Street.
    Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2024
  • There are no laws to prevent them from inventing new surcharges or from increasing existing ones.
    Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Definition of inventing
Verb
  • That has led to consternation that the Chiefs get all the right bounces — and even some conspiracies that the officials are manipulating things for Kansas City.
    Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Well, this kind of attack leverages multiple communication platforms with the end result of manipulating victims more effectively than a single channel can do.
    Davey Winder, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Definition of manipulating
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Thesaurus Entries Near contriving

contrives

contriving

control

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Cite this Entry

“Contriving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contriving. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on contriving

Nglish: Translation of contriving for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of contriving for Arabic Speakers

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