machination

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noun mach·i·na·tion \ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən, ˌma-shə-\

Definition of machination

1 : an act of machinating
2 : a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end backstage machinations … that have dominated the film industry — Peter Bogdanovich

Examples of machination in a Sentence

incredibly complicated machinations to assassinate the president that inevitably failed

Recent Examples of machination from the Web

A general in the room speculates that ICO may be the cause of the disappearance, and any political machinations underway halt as the White House prepares for the worst.

— ethan renner, baltimoresun.com, "'House of Cards' Season 5, Episode 7 recap: Terror alert", 2 June 2017
Because up until now, the motivations and machinations of Netflix couldn't really be understood.

— tim goodman, The Hollywood Reporter, "Critic's Notebook: Real Cracks In the Netflix Facade Or Just a Bad Week?", 2 June 2017
Not a day goes by that there is not new and wondrous news to lay out in the ongoing tale of investigations into Russia, Trump, elections, machinations and general skullduggery.

— dan sweeney, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Let the budget machinations begin", 1 June 2017
That includes the machinations of Rasputin, the mystic advisor to the last Czar and Czarina, Nicholas and Alexandra.

— tim uehlinger, NBC News, "An NBC News Producer’s Trip to Russia for Megyn Kelly’s Interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin", 1 June 2017
The age-of-terror Wag the Dog machinations that then unfolded had an especially gothic edge.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "House of Cards Season 5, Episode 1: The Live-Binge Review", 30 May 2017
Regardless, the Court does not find Plaintiff’s argument meritorious, and will not insulate counsel from their own strategic machinations.

— jim brunner, The Seattle Times, "Judge denies change of venue sought by attorney for Mayor Ed Murray’s accuser", 26 May 2017
That character, Victoria Leeds, is a drug dealer and would-be real estate mogul whose machinations threaten the Bay.

— a. o. scott, New York Times, "Review: ‘Baywatch,’ a Romp Full of Surf, Sand and Lots of Skin", 24 May 2017
In the meantime, machinations before the bar continue with the scheduling of a Jan. 6 trial to decide who owns the Watchmen.

— john scott lewinski, WIRED, "Clock Ticking on Watchmen Trial, Delayed Release", 5 Sep. 2008

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'machination'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of machination

15th century

Synonym Discussion of machination

plot, intrigue, machination, conspiracy, cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. an assassination plot intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. backstairs intrigue machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. the machinations of a party boss conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. a conspiracy to fix prices cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. a cabal among powerful senators