Contriver — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Related Entry: Contrive (verb)

Contrive is a different word from Contriver. The synonyms below are for contrive, not for contriver.

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