contrive

verb
UK: /kənˈtraɪv/
US: /kənˈtraɪv/

  1. To plan cleverly and with some trickery to make something happen.

    1. I had to contrive a way to get them to agree.
    2. She contrived a story to explain her absence, hoping no one would question it.

  2. To create or invent something, often using ingenuity.

    1. We can contrive a makeshift shelter from these branches.
    2. The inventor contrived a new type of engine that was both efficient and quiet.

Synonyms

devise invent design fabricate plot scheme

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "contrive" in English means: To plan cleverly and with some trickery to make something happen., To create or invent something, often using ingenuity..

The phonetic transcription of "contrive" is /kənˈtraɪv/ in British English and /kənˈtraɪv/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "contrive": devise, invent, design, fabricate, plot, scheme.

Example usage of "contrive": "I had to contrive a way to get them to agree.". More examples on the page.