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
The Americans of 1787 thought they were copying the English Constitution, but they were contriving a contrast to it.
From The English Constitution by Bagehot, Walter
He imagined that they were contriving against his own life, and included Serfojee in his hatred.
From Pioneers and Founders or, Recent Workers in the Mission field by Yonge, Charlotte Mary
Early had he been summoned to Rigby's lodging, where Ashton and Morgan were contriving a furious epistle to the contumacious defenders of their lives and substance.
From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 1 by Roby, John
Wings, which others were contriving to actuate by the perpetual motion.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah
