contrive
verb (used with object)
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent.
contriving
-
present participleof contrive.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
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.
The FDA implicitly concedes that the RP1 results are impressive by contriving ridiculous reasons to argue they could be exaggerated.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 14, 2026
Redondo hit the post twice in a matter of seconds - first seeing her header brilliantly tipped on to the woodwork by Daphne van Domselaar, before contriving to turn the rebound off the same upright.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2023
Perhaps his primary knack was for contriving a tension between immaculate optics and human entropy.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2023
In time I hope to find some means of overpowering the pilot and contriving my escape.
From Slate ● Apr. 7, 2020
I counted to one hundred as I rocked, contriving the patience to get one down in order to take up another.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
