contrive

/kənˈtraɪv/

/kənˈtraɪv/

Other forms: contrived; contriving; contrives

When you contrive, you make a plan or a plot. It may take you longer to contrive your way out of doing your homework than would to actually do it.

Even though contrive often has a false or cunning feel to it, it is not always a bad thing. Mental effort is always required though, as contrive is often used in connection with inventing schemes and plans to make something happen. Contraption, a complicated mysterious device that does something, is related to contrive. Have you ever seen a Rube Goldberg contraption? When you contrive to do something, your plan may end up being that complicated.

Definitions of contrive

1. verb

   make or work out a plan for; devise
   “They contrived to murder their boss”

   synonyms: design, plan, project

   types:

   plot

   devise the sequence of events in (a literary work or a play, movie, or ballet)

   concert

   contrive (a plan) by mutual agreement

   map, map out

   plan, delineate, or arrange in detail

   strategize

   devise a strategy, plan, or course of action

   type of:

   create by mental act, create mentally

   create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands
2. verb

   come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
   synonyms: devise, excogitate, forge, formulate, invent

   type of:

   create by mental act, create mentally

   create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands
3. verb

   put or send forth
   synonyms: cast, project, throw

   types:

   shoot

   send forth suddenly, intensely, swiftly

   type of:

   direct, send

   cause to go somewhere