To contrive means to skillfully plan or cleverly devise something, often in a secretive or ingenious way. It implies resourcefulness and sometimes a degree of cunning or deception to achieve a specific goal. The action suggests creating something from available resources, or bringing about a particular situation through carefully considered actions. The implication is often that the outcome is not immediately obvious or straightforward, and requires some level of planning and execution. Sometimes it can also mean to succeed in doing something despite difficulties.
Contrives meaning with examples
- The spy meticulously contrives a complex network of aliases and secret communications, skillfully evading surveillance and maintaining a cover to gather sensitive intelligence. Her meticulous planning allows her to infiltrate the organization undetected and obtain critical data, fulfilling her mission objectives while minimizing personal risk.
- Despite lacking formal training, the amateur inventor contrives an ingenious device using household objects. He tinkers away for weeks in his garage, working through numerous failed prototypes, and eventually builds something that actually works, showcasing a resourceful and inventive approach to problem-solving.
- Facing bankruptcy, the entrepreneur contrives a clever marketing campaign, using viral social media trends. His calculated approach gains massive customer interest and eventually pulls his company back from the financial edge, proving how cunning and resourceful he could be when under extreme pressure.
- The playwright contrives a plot filled with dramatic irony. The audience is fully aware of an impending danger that the characters are blissfully unaware of, and the writer uses this dramatic tension to heighten suspense, building toward a dramatic climax with all the skills of an experienced and shrewd professional.
Contrives Crossword Answers
7 Letters
DEVISES
9 Letters
ENGINEERS