Synonyms of machination

machination

noun

ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən 

as in conspiracy

a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends

incredibly complicated machinations to assassinate the president that inevitably failed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conspiracy
• scheme
• plot
• intrigue
• strategy
• design
• subterfuge
• manipulation
• trickery
• stratagem
• maneuver
• cabal
• counterplot
• contrivance
• collusion
• racket
• confederacy
• frame-up
• system
• connivance
• complicity
• conniving
• dodge
• program
• counterconspiracy
• cover-up
• artifice
• draft
• ground plan
• gimmick
• trick
• conspiration
• ring
• game

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun machination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of machination are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

Where would cabal be a reasonable alternative to machination?

Although the words cabal and machination have much in common, cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of machination?

While the synonyms conspiracy and machination are close in meaning, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When might intrigue be a better fit than machination?

While in some cases nearly identical to machination, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When is plot a more appropriate choice than machination?

The words plot and machination can be used in similar contexts, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of machination

The machinations in February (the Butler trade), in June (keeping the No. 20 pick to draft Kasparas Jakucionis and re-signing Mitchell ahead of free agency) and the loss accepted in July (the trade of Robinson) are part of a new NBA world order. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 2 Aug. 2025

Who’s to say what machinations and which lives from the past will be codified as meaningful precedent, what ordinary triumph or injustice? —Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 26 July 2025

Merrill monitored the machinations by the Padres front office Thursday with increasing glee and validation. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2025

In an unsigned statement to the Statesman, the Lottery Commission declined to insert itself into the internal budget-writing machinations of the Legislature. —John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025