Definition of MACHINATION

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of machination in a Sentence

incredibly complicated machinations to assassinate the president that inevitably failed

Recent Examples on the Web

Ryan’s potential reemergence is just one of the many machinations happening in the Democratic Caucus right now, as Ocasio-Cortez’s victory in New York underscores the growing unrest with Pelosi and the party’s leadership. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "Dems face big loss, big opportunity with Kavanaugh," 10 July 2018 With Supreme Court nominees needing just a majority thanks to a series of machinations in recent years, the math is just not there. — Aaron Blake, Washington Post, "The Democrats are in dire straits," 28 June 2018 But the Mozart — the Piano Concerto in B-flat major (K. 595), Mozart’s last effort in that genre — is also, in part, a memento of perennially current political machinations: a weak leader, shifting alliances, creeping repression. — Matthew Guerrieri, BostonGlobe.com, "Mozart for an era of political machinations," 28 June 2018 There are an abundance of possible roster machinations when the four players return. — Kevin Acee, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Number of Padres could return next week, including Wil Myers," 16 June 2018 Now, we are left with nothing, only the machinations of the academy. — David L. Ulin, latimes.com, "There will be no Nobel Prize in literature this year. And that's a shame.," 11 May 2018 There Is No Us, will discuss the day-to-day machination of North Korea’s totalitarian regime through her experiences. — The Courier-Journal, "50+ fun things for week of Oct. 12-18," 12 Oct. 2017 Collins declined an invitation to the White House Monday night to observe Trump’s ceremony to unveil his nominee, adding another layer of intrigue to the confirmation machinations. — Liz Goodwin, BostonGlobe.com, "Susan Collins is no maverick with GOP judicial nominees," 10 July 2018 Babcock’s fifth post details the final machinations of draft week, and the frenetic moves player representatives must complete during draft night itself. — Matt Babcock, SI.com, "The Dreams and Nightmares of Every Agent on NBA Draft Night," 18 June 2018

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.