machination

American  

[mak-uh-ney-shuhn] / ˌmæk əˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of machinating.

2. Usually machinations. crafty schemes; plots; intrigues.

   Synonyms:

   device, stratagem

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machination British  

/ ˌmæʃ-, ˌmækɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. an intrigue, plot, or scheme

2. the act of devising plots or schemes

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Other Word Forms

• antimachination adjective

Etymology

Origin of machination

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

Example Sentences

But the film itself is far from your average rom-com, more interested in the mechanics and machinations of modern dating than its lovable foibles.

From Salon

The ensuing machinations would bore you to tears, but after only a year political gravity has reasserted itself.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From 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.

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conspiracy
• intrigue
• ploy
• ruse
• stratagem