contrivances

noun

plural of contrivance
1
as in gadgets
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use a new contrivance for cleaning computer keyboards

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in inventions
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

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 contrivances Through a series of cinematic contrivances, Tess borrows Katharine’s skirt suit, claims due credit for her business sense, and wins the affections of Katharine’s financier boyfriend (Harrison Ford). — Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 15 June 2026 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 Even those unfamiliar with the story are likely to scoff at the new plot contrivances. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 19 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 The script, also by Ahn, leans slightly too much on contrivances to nudge the relationship along. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 24 Jan. 2026 In another area of the factory, machines installed four years earlier already lack certain even-more-modern contrivances. — Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025 To be fair, most romance plotting is built on contrivances and guaranteed happily ever afters. — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025 Get past the contrivances, and the comedy has some perceptive observations about the way grief and secrets can color a relationship, plus some very trenchant commentary about the sorry state of the Los Angeles real estate market. — Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for contrivances
  1. gadgets
  2. inventions
  3. tools
  4. innovations
Noun
  • As of August 31st, Nielsen’s co-viewing data will now include information obtained from smart-watch like gadgets that Neilsen’s research panelists wear in their homes.
    — Charles Pulliam-Moore, The Verge, 19 Aug. 2026
  • New Chief Executive Officer Michael Fiddelke has pledged to improve Target’s product assortment, store experience and technology, identifying food among the primary areas of focus, along with baby, home, apparel, toys, gadgets and sports.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of gadgets
Noun
  • Given sufficient time, though, this leads to transformative therapies and inventions that become a part of our well-being and livelihood.
    — Brendon Davis, Baltimore Sun, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Think of the stirrup, sometimes credited as being one of the three most important inventions in the course of history.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of inventions
Noun
  • The recent moves have been compared to tools the Federal Reserve has used in the past to provide liquidity to debt markets and to hold rates in check.
    — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Document tools support multi-document chats, translation, presentation creation, and PDF interactions.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of tools
Noun
  • The piece argues that all prices are inherently transitory; falling costs in one area often lead to rising prices elsewhere due to wealth reallocation and new innovations.
    — John Tamny, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • One of the great creative innovations America has given the world in the past 30 years is TV animation.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of innovations

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contrivance
contrivances
contrive
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Cite this Entry

“Contrivances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/contrivances. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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