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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of contrive
The entire deal felt cheesy and contrived.
—
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Prosecutors with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office claim Heskett contrived a story that he had been attacked by a man near a trail in the state park.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2026
The ice bucket set-up for their initial confrontation felt contrived and Vida and Dodie’s dramatic actions involving their hotel room door felt out of character.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2026
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Prosecutors with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office claim Heskett contrived a story that he had been attacked by a man near a trail in the state park.
—Jennifer McRae, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
This time, specific references were stripped away, leaving only a distillation of the dark rage evoked by metal and punk, equal parts elemental and contrived.
—Rachel Wetzler, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for contrive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive
Verb
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For instance, in 2020, Hendon’s lab helped devise a mathematical model for brewing the perfect cup of espresso, over and over, while minimizing waste.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Oak Park community united earlier this month to devise a plan to address public health in the absence of the hospital.—
Cam'ron Hardy,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But the show’s plotting and Niall’s exquisite complexity more than make up for Ruben’s relative flatness.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Authorities allege on July 21, 1993, Solis and two co-conspirators plotted a robbery of Guerrero, a narcotics supplier, at his Bronx apartment.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite attempts to negotiate the Strait of Hormuz’s reopening during an ongoing ceasefire, the narrow waterway remains shut to virtually all ship traffic.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Olthof Homes successfully challenged a $100,000 penalty levied by the town in the Indiana Court of Appeals, so a lower fine was negotiated between the two parties.—
Amy Lavalley,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The tank weighing down the back of Kyle Nicolson’s truck holds a mixture of water, nutrients and fertilizer concocted through years of tinkering, first by his grandfather, then his dad, his uncle and his cousins.—
Jonathan Bullington,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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Authorities believe Simko met one of the suspects at a cannabis festival in Ann Arbor, where the suspects reportedly concocted a plan to set up a fake business deal and steal what officials said was upwards of 50 pounds of marijuana.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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And did that excite you for the idea that June and Lydia could be scheming together?—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Apr. 2026
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In a court filing Tuesday, prosecutors said Fairley intends to plead guilty in the sports betting case and a separate case in which he and others are accused of scheming to obtain nonpublic information to bet on college basketball and Chinese Basketball Association games.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Despite the setbacks, Rivera and Nuhfer continued to communicate with Sessions and arranged for the congressman to travel to Caracas to meet with Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, at a military compound near the presidential palace on April 2, 2018.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
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Ride-share services are readily available, golf carts can be arranged in select areas and most stations are located in or just steps from vibrant downtown districts.—
Karon Warren,
AJC.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Major motion pictures partnering with brands to promote movies is the norm now, a practice that has evolved as quickly as technology has since the iPhone was invented in 2007, which can sometimes feel like an attack on your nervous system.—
Alli Rosenbloom,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
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The city doesn’t need to invent a solution.—
Louis Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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As teen-agers, the sisters conspired to get jobs in a cafeteria in nearby Pripyat.—
Lizzie Johnson,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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This comes after Gonzalez pleaded guilty in July 2024 to conspiring to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and last October to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.—
Lance Reynolds,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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