CONTRIVANCE Synonyms: 88 Similar and Opposite Words

contrivance

noun

kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s

Definition of contrivance

as in gadget

an interesting and often novel device with a practical use a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in invention

something (as a device) created for the first time through the use of the imagination despite the many modern contrivances for saving time and labor, we seem to have less leisure and energy than ever before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imagination

the ability to form mental images of things that either are not physically present or have never been conceived or created by others in that writer's hands, narrative contrivance can often deteriorate into pointless gimmickry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of contrivance Field’s neurotic, kvetching energy and Pullman’s drawlingly laidback presence spark off each other to amiable and spontaneous effect — enough so to show up the contrivances in the film’s secondary characters and subplots. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 May 2026 One belief is that this is essentially a monopolistic contrivance. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 9 Mar. 2026 That was complemented by what was known as a Tony Gwynn SoloHitter contrivance, through which four chords connected to a baseball would reset the ball to its waist-high starting point after each thwacking during all hours of the day. — Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026 The dialogue is overwrought, the plot contrivances are gratuitous, and the show has never been more fun. — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for contrivance

Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivance

Noun

From time-saving kitchen gadgets and food warmers to festive serving platters, Thanksgiving table decorations and clever ways to store leftovers, there are plenty of products that can help make the holiday feel a little less stressful.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026
The iPhone has been the same for so long that being forced to come up with little moves and tricks and ways to think about holding the Duo is a gadget nerd thrill.

— Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of gadget

Noun

The team’s invention enables the creation of garments that act as a direct interface to a wearer’s health data and their digital devices, with no rigid screen involved.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 22 Oct. 2026
Combining the two would bring the tech and infrastructure parts of Musk’s empire together (the Wall Street pitch) and a hyperconcentrated bet on the billionaire’s inventions, politics, and personality (the actual pitch).

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of invention

Noun

Love doesn’t necessarily make a good photograph, but the photographer’s interest, and the intelligence and imagination behind it, can contribute to the making of a picture that interests us.

— Hilton Als, New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2026
His novels are absolute master classes in how much to reveal, how much to leave to the reader’s terrified imagination.

— The Week US, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of imagination

Noun

Better monitoring tools can help farmers identify disease threats earlier and avoid expensive eradication campaigns.

— Robert Kelly, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
While federal scientists have created a national model to assess the likelihood of post-fire debris flows, communities don’t have an easily accessible tool to gauge their risk of post-fire flooding.

— Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of tool

Noun

Policymakers recognized that American companies needed a stronger reason to invest in innovation.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
Turning the tables, American technology innovation companies are positioning AI data centers as major water producers rather than water guzzlers.

— Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of innovation

Noun

There’s a level of seriousness that belies the 90-minute comedy film he’s made, which features an imbecilic white rapper who speaks in Caribbean-British slang and a contraption that shoots bullets out of one’s rear end.

— Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026
Alongside it was Anna Uddenberg’s 2026 sculpture White Noise (Soft Skills), featuring a life-size, faceless mannequin whose body is contorted by a futuristic interpretation of ergonomic office-style furniture contraptions.

— Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of contraption

Browse Nearby Words

contrition

contrivance

contrivances

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivance. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of contrivance

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes