contrive
verb (used with object)
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent.
contrives
-
present tense formof contrive (3rd person singular).present tense
Used to describe things happening now or regularly.
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.
So even if the U.S. somehow contrives to lose to Paraguay, draw with Australia, and lose to Turkey, for example, it’s highly likely they’ll get into the Round of 16.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
But for all its empathetic detail, “You Resemble Me” contrives a rather simplistic cause-and-effect tale, grasping too desperately at elusive answers.
From New York Times ● Nov. 3, 2022
With the younger son taking over as jailer, this goes on for a century, until Dream contrives to escape.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2022
And while the Survivor season contrives to have its David come out ahead, White’s fictionalized version offers no such assurances about the triumph of the underdog.
From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2021
Technical proofs are the arguments that the orator contrives.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
