contriveverb [ T ]
uk/kənˈtraɪv/us/kənˈtraɪv/to arrange a situation or event, or arrange for something to happen, using clever planning:
Couldn't you contrive a meeting between them? I think they'd really like each other.
[ + to infinitive ] Somehow she contrived to get tickets for the concert.
to invent and/or make a device or other object in a clever and possibly unusual way:
Do you think you could contrive something for hanging my clothes on until I can get a wardrobe?
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Planning, expecting and arranging
- accidentally
- accidentally on purpose idiom
- advertent
- advisedly
- aim
- aim at sth
- calculate
- chart
- engineer
- in the pipeline idiom
- intend
- intent
- intention
- intentional
- promise
- scheme
- scientific
- see sth coming idiom
- set sth up
- strategic
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Inventing, designing and innovation