Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [kuh n-trahyv]
- /kənˈtraɪv/
- /kənˈtraɪv/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kuh n-trahyv]
- /kənˈtraɪv/
Definitions of contrive word
- verb contrive If you contrive an event or situation, you succeed in making it happen, often by tricking someone. 3
- verb contrive If you contrive something such as a device or piece of equipment, you invent and construct it in a clever or unusual way. 3
- verb contrive If you contrive to do something difficult, you succeed in doing it. 3
- verb contrive When someone has done something dishonestly, you can say that they have contrived to do it. 3
- verb contrive to manage (something or to do something), esp by means of a trick; engineer 3
- verb contrive to think up or adapt ingeniously or elaborately 3
Information block about the term
Origin of contrive
First appearance:
before 1275 One of the 13% oldest English words
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
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Contrive
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
contrive popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 81% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
contrive usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for contrive
verb contrive
- improvise — to compose and perform or deliver without previous preparation; extemporize: to improvise an acceptance speech.
- concoct — If you concoct an excuse or explanation, you invent one that is not true.
- fabricate — to make by art or skill and labor; construct: The finest craftspeople fabricated this clock.
- devise — If you devise a plan, system, or machine, you have the idea for it and design it.
- dream up — a succession of images, thoughts, or emotions passing through the mind during sleep.
Antonyms for contrive
verb contrive
- destroy — To destroy something means to cause so much damage to it that it is completely ruined or does not exist any more.
- ruin — ruins, the remains of a building, city, etc., that has been destroyed or that is in disrepair or a state of decay: We visited the ruins of ancient Greece.
- raze — to tear down; demolish; level to the ground: to raze a row of old buildings.
- dissuade — to deter by advice or persuasion; persuade not to do something (often followed by from): She dissuaded him from leaving home.
- disorganize — to destroy the organization, systematic arrangement, or orderly connection of; throw into confusion or disorder.
Top questions with contrive
- what does contrive mean?
- what is the meaning of contrive?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with co
- Words starting with con
- Words starting with cont
- Words starting with contr
- Words starting with contri
- Words starting with contriv
- Words starting with contrive