Contrive
Contrive verb - To create or think of by clever use of the imagination.
Usage example: contrived abstract metal sculptures using old household utensils
Improvise is a synonym for contrive in invent topic. In some cases you can use "Improvise" instead a verb "Contrive", when it comes to topics like devise.
Improvise
Improvise verb - To perform, make, or do without preparation.
Usage example: since the award was a complete surprise, I improvised an acceptance speech
Contrive is a synonym for improvise in make up topic. You can use "Contrive" instead a verb "Improvise", if it concerns topics such as devise.
Nearby Words: improvisation, improvising
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
Common collocations
Cite this Source
Improvise and Contrive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/improvise
Contrive & Improvise. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/improvise>.
Improvise or Contrive. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/improvise.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contrive" and "improvise" have occurred on timeline