contrivance
noun
con·triv·ance
kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s 
1
a
: a thing contrived
especially
: a mechanical device
modern contrivances to cook food faster
b
: an artificial arrangement or development
Mistaken identity is used as a plot contrivance in the story.
2
: the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived
Synonyms
Examples of contrivance in a Sentence
The story is filled with plot contrivances that do not fit the ending.
He told the story honestly and without contrivance.
a contrivance to get out of doing the work
He convinced her to go without using contrivance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Yet Ford never falls into the trap of making that a plot contrivance.
—
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 5 Aug. 2024
The plot depends on absurd contrivances — Shadowcat (Elliot Page) has time-travel powers?
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 July 2024
Making Jaden the guilty party feels like a contrivance designed to shock viewers and subvert our expectations without bothering to convince us that this character had it in her to kill her father's lover.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 July 2024
Beyond the contrivances and unwieldy pieces in Riegel’s screenplay, a sensibility that’s coherent and urgent builds.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrivance 
Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 5 Aug. 2024
The plot depends on absurd contrivances — Shadowcat (Elliot Page) has time-travel powers?
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 July 2024
Making Jaden the guilty party feels like a contrivance designed to shock viewers and subvert our expectations without bothering to convince us that this character had it in her to kill her father's lover.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 24 July 2024
Beyond the contrivances and unwieldy pieces in Riegel’s screenplay, a sensibility that’s coherent and urgent builds.
—Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for contrivance
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'contrivance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near contrivance
Cite this Entry
“Contrivance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contrivance. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
contrivance
noun
con·triv·ance
kən-ˈtrī-vən(t)s
: something (as a scheme or mechanical device) produced with skill and cleverness
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