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 Word Forms

• antimachination adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of machination¹

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

Example Sentences

Her face is never clearly shown, to emphasize that Dorothy is merely a useful but clueless pawn in the political machinations of Oz.

Read more on Barron's

Mr. Strong’s book dives into the political machinations behind the chess face-off in deliberate detail—Florence, born in Communist Hungary, is threatened by Walter with deportation if she doesn’t get Freddie to lose the match.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Not with the glamour of a ‘Hunger Games’ spectacle, but the machinations of the state are the same.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This week WBD admitted the obvious: The Ellison machinations had put the company in play, which was expected sooner or later anyway.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Learning about all the behind-the-scenes machinations that brought Sasaki from an injured, defeated rookie to the postseason MVP and Dodgers’ season savior was fascinating and gives me a deeper appreciation for the struggles he faces.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conspiracy 
• intrigue 
• ploy 
• ruse 
• stratagem