Contrive
Contrive verb - To engage in a secret plan to accomplish evil or unlawful ends.
Usage example: the mischievous boys were always contriving and trying to pull the prank that would be the talk of the school
Plot is a synonym for contrive in invent topic. In some cases you can use "Plot" instead a verb "Contrive", when it comes to topics like devise, activity, scheme, bring about.
Mutual synonyms
Common collocations
| way | contrive way | plot way |
| assassination | contrive assassination | plot assassination |
| times | contrive times | plot times |
Both words in one sentence
-
Morth: You should have learned by now that I'm always the type to plot, scheme and contrive.
Source: Webcomic / Exterminatus Now - Paranoia gives certain NPCs "GM fiat armor" as shorthand for "beating this guy would really mess up the plot, so whatever the PCs try, contrive some excuse for it to fail".
Source: Contractual Boss Immunity -
His comments just piss everyone off, but the plot does contrive to get her the dress later.
Source: Impractically Fancy Outfit
Cite this Source
Plot and Contrive. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/plot
Contrive & Plot. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/plot>.
Plot or Contrive. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contrive/plot.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contrive" and "plot" have occurred on timeline