|
- 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
|
related words: |
arrange, calculate, conceive, craft, form, intrigue, invent, lay, manage, manufacture, procure, project, think, work |
|
|
|
part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
definition: |
to create plans; scheme.
- synonyms:
- devise, plan, plot, scheme
- similar words:
- arrange, design, finagle, intrigue, machinate
|
related words: |
angle, plan, plot, scheme |
|
derivations: |
contrivable (adj.), contriver (n.) |
|
|