Contrive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kən-ˈtrīv/ con·trive

Meaning & Definition of Contrive

Contrive (verb)

  1. devise, plan
  2. to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner
  3. to bring about by stratagem or with difficulty, manage

Contrive (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to create or think of by clever use of the imagination

    "contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils"

    similar: concoct, construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up), come up with
    related: coin, design, hatch, produce, daydream, dream, fantasize, conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, picture, vision, visualize, ad-lib, extemporize, improvise
    near: clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, mimic, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce

  2. 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"

    similar: collude, compass, connive, conspire, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up, scheme
    related: counterplot, brew, concoct, cook (up), devise, hatch, engineer, jockey, maneuver, manipulate, design, frame, lay out, map, plan, shape

  3. to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

    "contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it"

    similar: engineer, finagle, finesse, frame, machinate, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle
    related: arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out, angle (for), compass, intrigue, plot, scheme, connive, brew, concoct, cook (up), hatch, captain, command, conduct, direct, handle, manage, quarterback, run, gerrymander
    near: blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Contrive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Contrive:

concoct, construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, think (up), trump up, vamp (up), collude, compass, connive, conspire, intrigue, machinate, plot, put up, scheme, engineer, finagle, finesse, frame, maneuver, manipulate, mastermind, negotiate, wangle, come up with

Related Words for Contrive

coin, design, hatch, produce, daydream, dream, fantasize, conceive, envisage, envision, imagine, picture, vision, visualize, ad-lib, extemporize, improvise, counterplot, brew, jockey, lay out, map, plan, shape, arrange, concert, conclude, hammer out, work out, angle (for)

Near Antonyms of Contrive

clone, copy, copycat, duplicate, imitate, mimic, reduplicate, replicate, reproduce, blow, bobble, botch, bungle, butcher, flub, fumble, gum (up), louse up, mangle, mess (up), mishandle, muff

Word Forms of Contrive

Inflections: contrived, contriving, contrives

Derived words: contriver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Contrive

Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find troubadour

First known use: 14th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Contrive

  • Topics: Advanced GRE / C2

Frequently Asked Questions about Contrive

What does "Contrive" mean?

"Contrive" means devise, plan. As a verb, it is defined as: devise, plan. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Contrive"?

Other words for "Contrive" include concoct, construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate and invent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Contrive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Contrive"?

There are 71 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Contrive". Common alternatives include concoct, construct, cook (up), devise, drum up, excogitate, fabricate, invent, make up and manufacture.

How do you use "Contrive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Contrive" in a sentence: "contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils"; "the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school"; "contrived a way of planning the surprise party without their catching on to it".

Is "Contrive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Contrive" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Contrive"?

"Contrive" is pronounced /kən-ˈtrīv/ and divided into syllables as con·trive.

What is the origin of the word "Contrive"?

"Contrive" comes from Middle English controven, contreven, from Anglo-French controver, contrever, from Medieval Latin contropare to compare, from Latin com- + Vulgar Latin *tropare to compose, find troubadour. First known use: 14th centuryt.

What is another word for "Contrive" meaning "to create or think of by clever use of the imagination"?

When "Contrive" (verb) means to create or think of by clever use of the imagination, synonyms include concoct, construct, cook (up), devise, drum up and excogitate.