contrive
verb (used with object)
to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent.
were contriving
-
past progressiveof contrive.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
And, what about the Sunderland players who at the very least were contriving to take the free-kick for a second time not at the point at which the offence was actually committed?
From The Guardian ● Sep. 27, 2010
Bates replied, that he thought they were contriving some dangerous matter, though he knew not what the particulars were.
From Guy Fawkes or A Complete History Of The Gunpowder Treason, A.D. 1605 by Thomas Lathbury
Thus the two mighty sons of Kronos, with contending will, were contriving sorrow and anguish for the heroes.
From The Iliad by Homer
Still we made some progress, and were contriving to dip together, when I almost let my paddle pass from my hands, for a strange, wild cry rang along the surface of the water.
From The Golden Magnet by George Manville Fenn
Some wicked courtiers made the king believe that the princes were impatient to wear the crown, and that they were contriving a plot to deprive him of his sceptre and his kingdom.
From Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know by Hamilton Wright Mabie
