CONTRIVANCE

[noun] [C](disapproving) It might seem like coincidence but because of its timing I'm sure the salary freeze is a contrivance (= a plan to give someone an advantage usually by causing someone else disadvantage). [C]The toilet flusher was broken but he'd made some sort of contrivance (= device) using bits of string, wire and an empty bottle. [C]I think the meeting happened more by contrivance than chance. [U]