contrive

[ kuhn-trahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, con·trived, con·triv·ing.

1. to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent:

   The author contrived a clever plot.

   Synonyms: concoct, design

2. to bring about or effect by a plan, scheme, or the like; manage:

   He contrived to gain their votes.

3. to plot (evil, treachery, etc.).

   Synonyms: scheme, conspire

verb (used without object)

, con·trived, con·triv·ing.

1. to form designs; plan.
2. to plot.

   Synonyms: connive

contrive

/ kənˈtraɪv /

verb

1. tr to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineer

   he contrived to make them meet

2. tr to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaborately

   he contrived a new mast for the boat

3. to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)

Derived Forms

• conˈtriver, noun
• conˈtrivable, adjective

Other Words From

• con·triva·ble adjective
• con·triver noun
• precon·trive verb precontrived precontriving
• uncon·triving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrive¹

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”; trover ); development of vowel unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrive¹

C14: from Old French controver, from Late Latin contropāre to represent by figures of speech, compare, from Latin com- together + tropus figure of speech, trope

Synonym Study

See prepare.

Example Sentences

There was nothing contrived about the celebrations that greeted the news of the President’s intervention.

From Time

Many conversations feel rehearsed, and many gatherings appear contrived to bring characters into conflict.

From Time

This app got me thinking about how contrived all of our units of measurement are, but how they seem to make sense when we apply them to the correct things.

From Outside Online

In ancient Sparta, the lawgiver Lycurgus had contrived to make his constitution permanently unamendable.

From Time

Yet he never met her, even when it would have been easy to contrive an encounter.

From Washington Post

There are thousands of ways to contrive a weapon that's at least as dangerous a two-inch hobby knife.

From The Daily Beast

He must contrive to keep his family alive as he strategizes.

From The Daily Beast

The Republicans contrive new ways every day to get less popular.

From The Daily Beast

That made me think, maybe they can contrive to do something similar on the mandate.

From The Daily Beast

Everybody understands that politicians contrive photo opportunities in which they can perform "care" and "concern."

From The Daily Beast

If any one of the parts should be lost or broken, it would require some ability in that country to contrive a substitute.

From Project Gutenberg

You generally contrive to make yourself useful to your father in one way or another.

From Project Gutenberg

I knew too well that if I took any legal measures, he would contrive to shift the whole burden of lunacy upon me.

From Project Gutenberg

The cabin instantly obeyed them, and they having entered it began to consult how they should contrive to live there.

From Project Gutenberg

Our great object was, as the reader will naturally suppose, to contrive some way of escape.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• concoct
• devise
• dream up
• fabricate
• improvise
• manipulate