contrive

[ kuhn-trahyv ]
/ kənˈtraɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR contrive ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.

to plan with ingenuity; devise; invent: The author contrived a clever plot.
to bring about or effect by a plan, scheme, or the like; manage: He contrived to gain their votes.
to plot (evil, treachery, etc.).

verb (used without object), con·trived, con·triv·ing.

to form designs; plan.
to plot.

Origin of contrive

1275–1325; Middle English contreven < Middle French contreuv-, tonic stem of controver to devise, invent, Old French: to decide, agree upon < Late Latin contropāre to compare, equivalent to con- con- + *tropāre (> French trouver to find; see trover); development of vowel unclear

SYNONYMS FOR contrive

1 design, concoct. See prepare.
3 conspire, scheme.
5 connive.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR contrive ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM contrive

con·triv·a·ble, adjective con·triv·er, noun pre·con·trive, verb, pre·con·trived, pre·con·triv·ing. un·con·triv·ing, adjective

Words nearby contrive

contributory, contributory negligence, contrite, contrition, contrivance, contrive, contrived, control, control account, control board, control center

Words related to contriving

improvise, concoct, fabricate, devise, manipulate, manufacture, plot, fashion, handle, form, formulate, make, move, construct, project, vamp, wangle, plan, frame, hatch

Example sentences from the Web for contriving

British Dictionary definitions for contriving

contrive
/ (kənˈtraɪv) /

verb

(tr) to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineer he contrived to make them meet
(tr) to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaborately he contrived a new mast for the boat
to plot or scheme (treachery, evil, etc)

Derived forms of contrive

contrivable, adjective contriver, noun

Word Origin for contrive

C14: from Old French controver, from Late Latin contropāre to represent by figures of speech, compare, from Latin com- together + tropus figure of speech, trope