contrive

[kuhn-trahyv]

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verb (used with object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.

to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent: The author contrived a clever plot.
to bring about or effect by a plan, scheme, or the like; manage: He contrived to gain their votes.
to plot (evil, treachery, etc.).

verb (used without object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.

to form designs; plan.
to plot.

Origin of contrive

1275–1325; Middle English contreven < Middle French contreuv-, tonic stem of controver to devise, invent, Old French: to decide, agree upon < Late Latin contropāre to compare, equivalent to con- con- + *tropāre (> French trouver to find; see trover); development of vowel unclear

Related formscon·triv·a·ble, adjectivecon·triv·er, nounpre·con·trive, verb, pre·con·trived, pre·con·triv·ing.un·con·triv·ing, adjective

Synonyms for contrive

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1. design, concoct. See prepare. 3. conspire, scheme. 5. connive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for contrive

improvise, concoct, fabricate, devise, manipulate, manufacture, plot, fashion, handle, form, formulate, make, move, construct, project, vamp, wangle, plan, frame, hatch

Examples from the Web for contrive

Contemporary Examples of contrive

There are thousands of ways to contrive a weapon that's at least as dangerous a two-inch hobby knife.
TSA Says Yes to Small Knives, Then No—What’s the Problem?
Patrick Smith
April 26, 2013
He must contrive to keep his family alive as he strategizes.
Turning to Tolstoy’s ‘Hadji Murat’ as Boston Locked Down
Liesl Schillinger
April 22, 2013
The Republicans contrive new ways every day to get less popular.
Why Obama Needs to Deliver a Tough Inaugural
Michael Tomasky
January 21, 2013
That made me think, maybe they can contrive to do something similar on the mandate.
My Supreme Court-Health Care Prediction
Michael Tomasky
June 27, 2012

Historical Examples of contrive

You little witch, how did you contrive to make a fool of a man like me!
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
"That's all right," Garson replied, with such carelessness of manner as he could contrive.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
There is no doubt, replied Altamont, of its utility; but how would you contrive to make it?
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne
What a vast deal of work you do contrive to cut out for yourself.
Tales And Novels, Volume 9 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
If you, Mr. Temple, can contrive to pass this week at Mr. Percy's, let me not detain you.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for contrive

contrive

verb

(tr) to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineerhe contrived to make them meet
(tr) to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaboratelyhe contrived a new mast for the boat
to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)

Derived Formscontrivable, adjectivecontriver, noun

Word Origin for contrive

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

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

Word Origin and History for contrive

early 14c., from Old French controver (Modern French controuver) "to find out, contrive, imagine," from Late Latin contropare "to compare" (via a figure of speech), from Latin com- "with" (see com-) + tropus "song, musical mode," from Greek tropos "figure of speech" (see trope).

Sense evolution (in French) was from "invent with ingenuity" to "invent falsely." Spelled contreve until unexplained 15c. sound change that also affected briar, friar, choir. Related: Contrived; contriving.