contrive

Verb

Synonyms: plan project design invent devise excogitate formulate forge cast throw

WordNet 3.0

Verb (3)

make or work out a plan for; devise“They contrived to murder their boss”“design a new sales strategy”“plan an attack”Synonyms: plan project design
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort“excogitate a way to measure the speed of light”Synonyms: invent devise excogitate formulate forge
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”Synonyms: project cast throw

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Contrive \Con*trive"\ (k[o^]n*tr[imac]v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Contriving.] [OE. contriven, contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver; con- + trouver to find. See Troubadour, trover.] To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. [1913 Webster]

What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]

neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. --Hawthorne.

Syn: To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch. [1913 Webster]

Contrive \Con*trive"\, v. i. To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot. [1913 Webster]

The Fates with traitors do contrive. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Thou hast contrived against th very life Of the defendant. --Shak. [1913 Webster]