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What exactly is a contraption?
In the words of one Little Mermaid, “I’ve got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.” It would have been on-theme (though perhaps a bit clunky) for the aquatic princess to include in her siren song the word contraption. Synonymous with both gadget and gizmo, and widget too, in referring to mechanical and electronic devices, contraption is also one of a raft of terms people reach for when talking about various human-made bits and bobs, whether mechanical or not. (It's thought to have possibly been formed as a blend of contrivance, trap, and invention.) Want more thingamabob words? Try doohickey, thingamajig, dingus, or doodad.
Synonyms
Examples of contraption in a Sentence
The New York Times, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Even better: Despite the fear that may accompany placing a contraption so close to your eyeballs, high-quality eyelash curlers do the trick without pinching or pulling.
—Lindsay Colameo, Allure, 26 Dec. 2024
Older humidifiers often looked like terrifying contraptions and were used mostly in hospital settings to help people with respiratory conditions.
—Whizy Kim, Vox, 20 Dec. 2024
To maximize his time, Boardman uses a contraption not unlike ones used to pick up tennis balls to scoop up the acorns.
—Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for contraption 
Dictionary Entries Near contraption
Cite this Entry
“Contraption.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contraption. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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contraption
noun
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