machination

noun

mach·​i·​na·​tion ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən 

ˌma-shə-

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

Synonyms

• conspiracy
• scheme
• plot

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

The Heat previously had been hard capped at the higher second tax apron, due to the machinations of the Robinson trade. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 7 July 2025

It was intended to provide greater access to the machinations of the co-op and to accommodate members with disabilities, the elderly and parents who can't make it to the hours-long evening meetings, according to CJ Glackin, one of the sponsors of the referendum. —Vanessa Romo, NPR, 7 July 2025

The machinations of a machine, however, don't really matter in the same way. —ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025

As political machinations across the galaxy threaten to implode, Paul and Chani (Zendaya) must decide whether their love and cause can survive the burden of messianic power. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for machination

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation