machination

[ mak-uh-ney-shuhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of machinating.
2. Usually machinations. crafty schemes; plots; intrigues.

   Synonyms: device, stratagem

machination

/ ˌmæʃ-; ˌmækɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. an intrigue, plot, or scheme
2. the act of devising plots or schemes

Other Words From

• anti·machi·nation adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of machination¹

1375–1425; late Middle English machinacion < Latin māchinātiōn- (stem of māchinātiō ). See machinate, -ion

Example Sentences

She suggested some of the machinations might have to do with the district’s legal counsel, Dan Shinoff.

From Voice of San Diego

I wasn’t yet aware of the social machinations underpinning my existence.

From Vox

He also has a politician’s lack of introspection, aversion to showing any weakness, and general lack of curiosity about anything unrelated to the machinations of power.

From Washington Post

As the legal machinations after the plague reveal, the Rochester chronicler’s supposed “natural order” is in fact artificial, produced by human institutions and political choices.

From Washington Post

It’s time to shine a bright, ugly light on these extremely ugly machinations.

From The Daily Beast

The villain's machination, the lover tied to the railroad track, the train dashing to within two inches of its victim.

From Project Gutenberg

Lauzun was always occupied with some machination, even against those to whom he was indifferent; this kept his hand in.

From Project Gutenberg

Did the two facts announced by the speakers at the restaurant not form part of the same suspicious machination?

From Project Gutenberg

"We are possibly more interested than yourself in clearing up this mysterious machination," Marksman answered.

From Project Gutenberg

I will return to Paris to-morrow; I will defeat his machination, expose his falsehood!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• conspiracy
• intrigue
• ploy
• ruse
• stratagem