contrive

[ kuhn-trahyv ]

/ kənˈtraɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR contrive ON THESAURUS.COM

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 related to contrive

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

Words nearby contrive

contributory, contributory negligence, contrite, contrition, contrivance, contrive, contrived, control, control account, control board, control center

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

SYNONYMS FOR contrive

1 design, concoct. See prepare.

3 conspire, scheme.

5 connive.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR contrive ON THESAURUS.COM

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, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for contriving

But it would be better to be a mathematician than skilful in contriving Orreries.
My Schools and Schoolmasters|Hugh Miller
George Godolphin, contriving to maintain an outward calmness, turned away when it was over.
The Shadow of Ashlydyat|Mrs. Henry Wood
And so I was contriving to do all I could to guard against the latter.
Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9)|Samuel Richardson
I have been lying awake nights contriving, but no suggestion comes.
The Little Grey House|Marion Ames Taggart

Indeed, Moritz was never happy unless he was contriving some new pleasure for his darling.
Mollie's Prince|Rosa Nouchette Carey

British Dictionary definitions for contriving

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, 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