CONTRIVE Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

contrive

verb

kən-ˈtrīv

Definition of contrive

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

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

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 Both those courts upheld the 2022 statewide congressional map that DeSantis contrived to purge a Black congressman, Al Lawson of Tallahassee. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026 The work lies in making that interface feel truthful rather than contrived. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026 Credibility gets strained pretty quickly as the playwrights contrive to get the characters to face each other in person. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026 Even his courtship with Bess Wallace was accented by Truman contriving a tennis court for her — the dynamics of which are captured through photos of and letters about his efforts. — Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contrive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrive

Verb

To create objects with collapsibility as a core feature, Toyonaga’s team devised an analytic design algorithm allowing incremental construction of complex scissored surfaces.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2026
Then, in a famous 1937 paper, the mathematician Alan Turing devised a model based on hypothetical machines that could read and write symbols printed on an infinite tape according to a set of simple rules.

— Ben Brubaker, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of devise

Verb

There’s also growing evidence that building a career inside a firm continues to be a more reliable route to success than trying to plot a path across companies.

— Matthew Bidwell, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Proper later allegedly admitted to plotting the UFC 250 attack and described it in full to the FBI, according to the criminal complaint.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plot

Verb

But this is largely a myth, concocted by critics and cool kids to explain away and undercut the popularity of their music.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 30 Aug. 2026
Think hands-on, creative culinary practices like concocting herbal infusions, blending spices, and fermenting.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of concoct

Verb

Hardly the smoking gun that puts him in an Afghan cave, scheming with bin Laden.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Issa acts on that notion by encouraging a threesome between herself, Paul Baker, and Anton, who has spent much of the episode getting increasingly annoyed about being left out of everyone else’s scheming.

— Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of scheme

Verb

Still, each guest enjoys their secluded villa, private spa time, and a personal guide to arrange hiking and water excursions like snorkeling and surfing.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
Tafoya arranged for five blank checks paid as bribes by a marijuana firm to be cashed with the help of his brother and passed one $10,000 check on to marketer Chavez, according to the plea agreement.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrange

Verb

Now, if someone could just invent that pizza plant, that would be great.

— Grace Dean, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
The designer Dapper Dan, who helped invent hip-hop fashion, was originally known for his high-fashion knockoffs, but consumers came to view him as a brand unto himself.

— Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of invent

Verb

Finley’s breakout was the 2017 dark comedy Thoroughbreds, in which Olivia Cooke and Anya Taylor-Joy play high-schoolers conspiring to kill an abusive stepfather.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026
That same prose, as rendered by Searls, is evident once again in the new book as the novel’s narrator relates how he was drawn to this mysterious outpost and how the place seems to be conspiring against his leaving there.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of conspire

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contrive

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“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of contrive

verb

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