contrive

[kuhn-trahyv]

verb (used with object)

contrived, contriving 

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)

contrived, contriving 

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)

Other Word Forms

• contrivable adjective
• contriver noun
• precontrive verb
• uncontriving 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

And it’s here that “Keeper” starts to unravel, the arrestingly pristine visuals and hypnotic rhythms giving way to contrived explanations.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Instead they stepped in to prevent the failure of the big Wall Street firms that had contrived to bankrupt themselves by making a lot of dumb bets on subprime borrowers.

Read more on Literature

In a film so terrible, Wever stands out as its only bright spot, initially making her performance seem uniquely bad and strangely contrived when, in fact, it’s easily the best of the bunch.

Read more on Salon

The members must contrive to pay the new guy off, which means redeeming the deadbeat’s paper.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The problem with “The Heart Sellers” is that Luna and Jane are saddled with a contrived premise that doesn’t allow them sufficient room for dramatic complexity.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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