contrive
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to form designs; plan.
-
to plot.
- Synonyms:
- connive
verb
-
(tr) to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineer
he contrived to make them meet
-
(tr) to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaborately
he contrived a new mast for the boat
-
to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)
Synonym Usage
See prepare.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
contrivesimple
-
contrivessimple
-
have contrivedperfect
-
has contrivedperfect
-
am contrivingprogressive
-
are contrivingprogressive
-
is contrivingprogressive
-
have been contrivingperfect progressive
-
has been contrivingperfect progressive
Past
-
contrivedsimple
-
had contrivedperfect
-
was contrivingprogressive
-
were contrivingprogressive
-
had been contrivingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of contrive
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English contreven, from Middle French contreuv-, tonic stem of controver “to devise, invent,” Old French: “to decide, agree upon,” from Late Latin contropāre “to compare,” equivalent to con- con- + (unattested) tropāre (becoming French trouver “to find”; see trover); development of vowel unclear
Explanation
When you contrive, you make a plan or a plot. It may take you longer to contrive your way out of doing your homework than would to actually do it. Even though contrive often has a false or cunning feel to it, it is not always a bad thing. Mental effort is always required though, as contrive is often used in connection with inventing schemes and plans to make something happen. Contraption, a complicated mysterious device that does something, is related to contrive. Have you ever seen a Rube Goldberg contraption? When you contrive to do something, your plan may end up being that complicated.
Vocabulary lists containing contrive
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Others applauded that decision, content not to trot out their work-party ensemble and contrive the holiday cheer.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025
He is sometimes inspired to make a poor choice, but, as with the silent comedians of old, the universe will contrive to save him.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2024
One of the first things McCartney did when he took over the Buffs in 1982 was contrive a rivalry with Nebraska and ban red in the football building.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2023
First, undercover officers contrive a situation to cross paths with the target of an investigation.
From New York Times • Apr. 9, 2023
‘There will be no escape again, if we do not contrive it. How that is to be done cannot be guessed, but first we must overtake them.’
From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
