to invent

Examples

• All

• The Sheriff King is getting suspicious, and you'll have to invent a story.

  Four (2011)

• So these are tricks that you invent to get to the goal.

• And then once that happens, you got to invent something else.

• And then you also like to invent things.

  Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)

• Human beings invent their way out of crisis.

• What is the African soul that the artists discover, invent, and celebrate in their works?

  Academic text (2015)

• Because we are working on a series of exercises which I personally invented, based on simple, household tasks.

  The Stepford Wives (2004)

• Makerspaces are places where there is an opportunity to construct, discuss, invent, and think creatively.

  Academic text (2015)

• You've invented a machine that can find anybody's weak spot.

  Superman III (1983)

• Dillinger presents ENCOM with five video games that he's invented.

  Tron (1982)

Synonyms

C

to create

vsto invent

∞ 1.0

To make something new that does not exist yet

is limited to mental making, often untrue or imagined items

M

to make up

vsto invent

972 3.2

Invent a story or excuse that is not true

is the general mental act of creating things often including false reasons

T

to think of

vsto invent

866 2.1

Invent a plan or idea in your mind

is the same mental creation but often implies false or made-up items

D

to devise

vsto invent

135 4.8

To plan or invent something carefully

often refers to quick or casual mental creation rather than careful planning

M

to manufacture

vsto invent

62 6.3

To invent a story, excuse or piece of evidence to deceive people

can mean inventing mentally without the strong deceitful intent

F

to formulate

vsto invent

59 4.5

To create and describe an idea, plan, or theory clearly

focuses on simple mental invention rather than careful expression or wording

F

to forge

vsto invent

56 4.7

To create a plan or idea after careful thought

can be a quick mental creation, not always requiring long effort

F

to fabricate

vsto invent

50 7.3

To make up false information to trick people

covers making things up more broadly, not only to deceive

T

to think up

vsto invent

48 3.2

To make up an idea, plan, or excuse

is about forming things in the mind, sometimes without deep effort

D

to dream up

vsto invent

• Informal

38 3.9

To think of a new or unusual idea

is similar but often focuses on ordinary untrue stories or reasons

C

to cook up

vsto invent

• Informal

37 5.6

Invent a story or excuse to trick people

is the neutral act of forming ideas, not necessarily dishonest

C

to contrive

vsto invent

13 7.3

To invent a clever plan or excuse

is broader and can include simple, unskilled mental inventions

C

to concoct an excuse

vsto invent

6.5

To make up a false reason to avoid blame

is broader, applying to any mental creation not only false reasons

C

to create mentally

vsto invent

6.7

To form an idea or picture in your mind

is focused on making mental items, often including untrue stories

Antonyms

T

to tell the truth

814 2.7

Say what really happened without hiding facts or lying

How Fabricated

to lie

∞ 1.3

to fabricate

50 7.3

to invent

181 3.2

to imagine

∞ 1.3

Surface Forms

Etymology