Contrive Definition & Meaning
contrive
- verb
- make or work out a plan for; devise; "They contrived to murder their boss"; "design a new sales strategy"; "plan an attack"
- come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; "excogitate a way to measure the speed of light"
- put or send forth; "She threw the flashlight beam into the corner"; "The setting sun threw long shadows"; "cast a spell"; "cast a warm light"
"Contrive" in song lyrics
See how contrive is used in real songs:
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"Because before I go on live all my enemies try to contrive"
Buck 65 — Sunday Driver -
"Some loathsome dash the herald will contrive,"
William Shakespeare — The Rape of Lucrece -
"Their eyes open they could not contrive;"
— Comical Folk
Words that rhyme with contrive
Usage tips for "contrive"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "contrive" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for contrive to find words that pair well.