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Synonyms

contrivance

American  
[kuhn-trahy-vuhns] / kənˈtraɪ vəns /

noun

  1. something 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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • noncontrivance noun
  • precontrivance noun

Etymology

Origin of contrivance

First recorded in 1620–30; contrive + -ance

Explanation

A contrivance is a gadget or device that can be used for some particular purpose. The spinning blade of a blender is a contrivance that turns fruits and yogurt into a tasty smoothie. Yum. A contrivance is a useful device or tool. It might be assembled or invented, and it's often mechanical, although you can really refer to anything that's made for a specific purpose as a contrivance. The word sometimes also implies a falseness or obviousness, like the contrivance of a spy's very fake-looking beard that's supposed to disguise him, or the contrivance of a novel's complicated, unbelievable plot.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing contrivance

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.

And when the star is a legend on the level of Reiner, the contrivance can be even riskier.

From Salon • Dec. 21, 2025

Most market meltdowns have been triggered by some unique new financial contrivance.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 21, 2025

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.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 26, 2025

There is one slight contrivance later in the film to set up its final act, but it's arguably a necessary one to set the stage for the film's dramatic conclusion.

From BBC • Oct. 11, 2024

He is average-sized and prematurely gray, but by some contrivance of carriage and posture, he makes the men who stand before him feel smaller.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr