formulate vs contrive

formulate and contrive both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
formulate	No	No	Yes	No
contrive	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, formulate and contrive are synonyms defined as:

formulate and contrive: come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort

Other synonyms of formulate include devise, excogitate, forge, invent.

formulate (verb)	contrive (verb)
put into words or an expression	come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses	make or work out a plan for; devise
come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort	put or send forth
prepare according to a formula