contrive
verb (used with object)
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent.
have been contriving
-
present perfect progressiveof contrive.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
With the Queen scheduled to visit, assorted horticulturalists have been contriving floral tributes.
From The Guardian ● May 20, 2012
Poor Goldstick Pollnitz is an Honorary Member;—absent at this time in Baireuth, where those giggling Marwitzes of Wilhelmina's have been contriving a marriage for the old fool.
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 14 by Thomas Carlyle
I have been contriving a plan for writing without seeing: I hope it will answer, but as yet I get on very slowly.”
From Edward Hoare, M.A. A record of his life based upon a brief autobiography by Edward N. Hoare
When a number of such trees are growing together, the place is called a topiary, and lately people who can afford the money have been contriving topiaries in some parts of their grounds.
From Chatterbox, 1906 by J. Erskine (John Erskine) Clarke
