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contrive

con·trive

contrive

 
 
pronunciation:
kn traIv
parts of speech:
transitive verb, intransitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (verb)
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: contrives, contriving, contrived
definition 1: to plan or devise cleverly or ingeniously.
The prisoner contrived his escape with great care.She contrived an excuse that was wholly believable.His friends contrived to utterly surprise him on his birthday.
synonyms:
create, design, devise, invent
similar words:
brew, dream up, imagine, maneuver, plan, scheme, think up
definition 2: to scheme or plot with treacherous intent.
The conspirators contrived the overthrow of the ruler.
synonyms:
conspire, intrigue, machinate, plot, scheme, trump up
similar words:
brew, concoct, devise, fabricate, finagle, hatch, make up, wangle
definition 3: to cleverly devise (a mechanism or the like), esp. by improvising.
A clockmaker, John Harrison, contrived the marine chronometer, a device which allowed one to calculate one's longitude at sea.
synonyms:
concoct, devise, improvise, invent
similar words:
design, dream up, make up, rig, think up
definition 4: to manage, esp. by overcoming obstacles.
They contrived a way to get across the river.
synonyms:
improvise, manage, map out
similar words:
bring about, effect, formulate, maneuver, organize
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to create plans; scheme.
synonyms:
devise, plan, plot, scheme
similar words:
arrange, design, finagle, intrigue, machinate
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: contrivable (adj.), contriver (n.)