invent

verb

1. come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; “excogitate a way to measure the speed of light”

   Synonyms

   • contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge

   Less specific

   • create by mental act, create mentally

2. make up something artificial or untrue

   Synonyms

   • fabricate, manufacture, cook up, make up

   Less specific

   • think up, think of, dream up, hatch, concoct

   More specific

   • mythologize, mythologise, confabulate, trump up, concoct, spin, vamp, vamp up