machinations

noun

plural of machination
as in schemes
a secret plan for accomplishing evil or unlawful ends incredibly complicated machinations to assassinate the president that inevitably failed

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of machinations Warning to others The internal machinations of a far-off bureaucracy may not seem significant, said The Indian Express (Noida). — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 7 Nov. 2026 Lexi and Ridge create a multitude of festive excursions — and excuses — to bring them together but thanks to creative machinations by June and Dan, these outings keep turning into foursomes. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 These Wall Street jesters are ascending at a moment when there’s immense interest in the machinations of finance firms and rainmakers. — Andrew Zucker, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2026 Through Toinette’s machinations and Beralde’s subtle plans, show business itself becomes the day-saving tool in The Imaginary Invalid. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026 This case smacks of the political machinations so typical of Tamarac. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026 The switch-up came with a bit of comic, manic machinations that Rock said reminded him of making Devil Without a Cause, his 1998 breakthrough. — Gary Graff, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026 Elia’s observations of—and about—her father’s machinations would make for a far better movie. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2026 And the recording that exposed their machinations ultimately destroyed the type of ethnic politicking that made the careers of too many self-serving power grabbers, including this quartet. — Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for machinations
  1. schemes
  2. conspiracies
  3. plots
  4. intrigues
Noun
  • Osborne was harried, sacked three times, and was perhaps pressured into some bad throws by Belichick’s schemes.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Instead, Musk moved on to other schemes and startups, some successful, some not.
    — Jack Crosbie, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • From this banal beginning, Gray launches a tale of fear and violence, criminal conspiracies and paranoia.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The study from August found that many models may avoid generating content around familiar conspiracies, but can generally be manipulated into creating misleading material.
    — Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of conspiracies
Noun
  • The book lovers said these narratives were particularly approachable, with engaging plots, gripping prose and relatable characters.
    — Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Proposal 3 lets the city undertake street safety improvements, sell unused plots of land, and lease office space all with a little bit less hoop-jumping.
    — Ryder Kessler, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of plots
Noun
  • However, work stalled at the 60th floor and was paused for several years, with multiple reports naming palace intrigues and purges by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the cause for the delay.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The series has always moved at a deliberate pace, allowing the characters’ social battles and romantic intrigues to simmer.
    — Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of intrigues

Browse Nearby Words

machination
machinations
machinator
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Cite this Entry

“Machinations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/machinations. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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