contrive
[ kuhn-trahyv ]
/ kənˈtraɪv /
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.
Words nearby contrive
Origin of contrive
SYNONYMS FOR contrive
OTHER WORDS FROM contrive
con·triv·a·ble, adjectivecon·triv·er, nounpre·con·trive, verb, pre·con·trived, pre·con·triv·ing.un·con·triv·ing, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Examples from the Web for contrive
British Dictionary definitions for contrive
contrive
/ (kənˈtraɪv) /
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 forms of contrive
contrivable, adjectivecontriver, nounWord 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