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

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

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. —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

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