contrivance

[kuhn-trahy-vuhns]

noun

1. something contrived; contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one.

2. the act or manner of contriving; the faculty or power of contriving.

3. a plan or scheme; expedient.

contrivance

/ kənˈtraɪvəns /

noun

1. something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption

2. the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability

3. an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc

4. an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem

Other Word Forms

• noncontrivance noun
• precontrivance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of contrivance¹

First recorded in 1620–30; contrive + -ance

Example Sentences

But while the revelation that brings the play to a painful climax has a faint whiff of contrivance about it, the angry confrontation that ensues between Nelson and Nick has a bruising, brutal power.

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But a script with this much contrivance only works if it’s delivered with snap and confidence.

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Yet for all the contrivance, this match-up comes draped in the language of legacy.

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There are those in the F1 paddock who feel that the move is a contrivance, a knee-jerk reaction to a specific set of circumstances that happened to unfold last year.

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Are fans so consumed by the mystery of who died at the end that they’re willing to forgive the numerous contrivances and shameless manipulations of this installment?

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• artifice 
• gimmick 
• ruse