contrive
verb (used with object)
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent.
had contrived
-
past perfectof contrive.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
That means he had contrived his approach before the first kickoff.
From Chicago Tribune ● Nov. 23, 2012
Since the second day in Brisbane the Australian attack had contrived to snatch six English wickets for 1137 runs.
From The Guardian ● Dec. 19, 2010
Instead they twisted the knife with such ruthlessness that it now seems a mystery how the home side had contrived to lose at The Oval.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 28, 2010
Exchange members had contrived to keep the market active by buying shares from fictitious customers, selling them to "dummy" corporations.
From Time Magazine Archive
Abel felt she was being much too casual about his imminent end, as though it were only one of many she had contrived.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
