to contrive
13
7.3
- verb
- /kənˈtraɪv/
:
idear
- She managed to contrive a clever solution to the problem of getting across the river.
- contrived plans
And again, guys, the the point of a poll is to depress and to discourage or it's to contrive and to manipulate.
- And again, guys, the the point of a poll is to depress and to discourage or it's to contrive and to manipulate.
- Obviously I've contrived it, but I feel good that I've set up the pieces so that it will necessarily arrive there and not elsewhere.
Examples
-
I must contrive a raft and try to save her precious supplies.
-
But you must not continue contriving these meetings in private, which cause us both pain.
Fiction book (2001) -
I contrive never to be at home when he calls.
-
Oh, pity I cannot contrive a reason for us to go in.
-
Yet you contrived to escape with your life.
-
I have contrived a dance based on this philosophy.
-
But I contrived a rope harness and got him on to my back with the help of my mates.
-
He's a committed revolutionary, and he never seems to have let a day pass without contriving to bring about the destruction of the British Empire.
-
For example, over the fruit cup, Cecilia contrived to mention Daphne in a pointed fashion.
Fiction book (1991) -
The Trobriand lslanders contrived to live very happily... without recourse to shame and guilt.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
To decide and arrange in advance how to do something
∞
2.6
To plan and make something so it looks and works as needed
950
2.8
To find a solution or plan by thinking carefully
866
2.1
Invent a plan or idea in your mind
181
3.2
To make up a story or excuse that is not true
135
4.8
To plan or invent something carefully
74
5.2
To form an idea or plan in your mind
59
4.5
To create and describe an idea, plan, or theory clearly
56
4.7
To create a plan or idea after careful thought
48
3.2
To make up an idea, plan, or excuse
39
8.1
To think about and plan something before doing it, often a harmful act
28
5.7
To plan the best way to reach a goal
1
4.4
To think of a clever or secret plan to do something
To think very carefully to find a new idea or solution
Antonyms
How Inventive
532
3.1
∞
1.0
13
7.3
135
4.8
48
3.2
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word contrive breaks into the part con- meaning 'together', as in connect, and a second part -trive that gives the idea of 'turning' or 'bringing things into shape'. So to contrive something is to 'bring ideas together' and shape them into a clever plan or invention.