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 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 The safety and dignity of more than two million civilians cannot continue to be held hostage to the decisions of Hamas, much less the machinations of internal Israeli politics. — Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026 Understanding the machinations of the current administration and predicting its plans is too tall an order. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for machinations
  1. schemes
  2. conspiracies
  3. plots
  4. intrigues
Noun
  • The prevalence of money laundering schemes is an indication to Hall that more regulations are needed to address retail theft.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Bill Essayli traded barbs at dueling healthcare fraud news conferences in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday morning, sniping at each other over billions lost to benefits schemes and the increasingly politicized efforts to stop them.
    — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of schemes
Noun
  • Local elections officials would also have to verify voters’ citizenship using government data and publish reports, which critics say bolsters conspiracies about voter integrity and undermines confidence in elections.
    — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • What always entertains me so much about those types of conspiracies is that reality is just as crazy.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of conspiracies
Noun
  • Beneath the spy plots, then, is a fond portrait of a group of people held in perpetual disgrace for their shortcomings, and thus forced to find individual paths to redemption.
    — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Montanez noted that the case appears to be unusual because mass shooting plots are most often conceived and carried out by male suspects.
    — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 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 26 Oct. 2026.

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