1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
Jacinto planned to take in the Hermès and Sacai shows in Paris before plotting his next steps.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
23 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
In other markets, inventory will be lower and there will be less room to negotiate.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Or a witch or wizard standing over a cauldron concocting life-altering potions.—
Simone Milasas,
Forbes,
22 Jan. 2025
-
And though defensive coordinator Brian Flores can concoct a great game plan, there’s nothing Stafford hasn’t seen.—
Rohan Nadkarni,
NBC News,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Meanwhile, Dougherty Valley hit timely shots and schemed Stokes into favorable one-on-one matchups.—
Nathan Canilao,
The Mercury News,
18 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
-
The iconic sports drink was invented at the University of Florida’s College of Medicine in 1965.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
19 Jan. 2025
-
Biden didn't invent that approach, Turner said—the rhetoric and framing from this White House largely matches that from Barack Obama's—but Biden delivered on growth and jobs in the clean tech sector in ways that previous administrations did not.—
Yaakov Katz,
Newsweek,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Trump, who has claimed his own prosecution for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election and for allegedly mishandling classified documents is politically motivated, has appeared sympathetic to Adams.—
Ben Adler,
USA TODAY,
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 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share