1
as in to devise
to create or think of by clever use of the imagination
contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
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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
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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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Examples of contrive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though it was criticised by cinephiles for feeling contrived, the creation of these types of categories stand as one of the few spaces where audience opinion (read: women) can be seen and heard, allowing Barbie to finally get its moment in the spotlight.
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Alicia Lansom, refinery29.com, 23 Jan. 2024
All the same, The Malmedy Massacre is a solid account of history that current events have contrived to make exceptionally relevant.
—Lawrence Douglas, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2017
Unfortunately, everything leads to two absurdly contrived twists, and a coda that plays like it was tacked on after preview audiences objected to the apparent quietus of a major character.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024
The fungibility of money can feel by turns sublime, magical, contrived.
—Andrew Lipstein, Harper's Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive 
Alicia Lansom, refinery29.com, 23 Jan. 2024
All the same, The Malmedy Massacre is a solid account of history that current events have contrived to make exceptionally relevant.
—Lawrence Douglas, Foreign Affairs, 17 June 2017
Unfortunately, everything leads to two absurdly contrived twists, and a coda that plays like it was tacked on after preview audiences objected to the apparent quietus of a major character.
—Joe Leydon, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024
The fungibility of money can feel by turns sublime, magical, contrived.
—Andrew Lipstein, Harper's Magazine, 17 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Contrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrive. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
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