C2verbformallanguageacademic
US/kənˈtraɪv/
UK/kənˈtraɪv/
to arrange or plan a situation cleverly, often in a dishonest way; to manage to do something difficult
In context
The writer contrived a happy ending that few readers found believable.
Somehow she contrived to finish her thesis while working full-time.
Critics accused the company of contriving a shortage to raise prices.
Words that go with contrive
verb + preposition
- contrive toHe contrived to meet her by chance at the library.
verb + noun
- contrive a situationThe show contrives a situation in which strangers must share a flat.
- contrive a planThe students contrived a plan to avoid the test.
- contrive a meetingHis friends tried to contrive a meeting between the two rivals.
adverb + verb
- skillfully contrivedThe plot of the novel is skillfully contrived.