Thesaurus results for MACHINATION

Q: How does the noun 'machination' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of machination are cabal , conspiracy , intrigue , and plot . While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means. // the machinations of a party boss

Q: Where would 'cabal' be a reasonable alternative to 'machination'?

Although the words cabal and machination have much in common, cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence. // a cabal among powerful senators

Q: In what contexts can 'conspiracy' take the place of 'machination'?

While the synonyms conspiracy and machination are close in meaning, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery. // a conspiracy to fix prices

Q: When might 'intrigue' be a better fit than 'machination'?

While in some cases nearly identical to machination , intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity. // backstairs intrigue

Q: When is 'plot' a more appropriate choice than 'machination'?

The words plot and machination can be used in similar contexts, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. // an assassination plot

machination

noun

ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən

Definition of machination next

as in conspiracy

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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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun machination differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of machination are cabal, conspiracy, intrigue, and plot. While all these words mean "a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end," machination implies a contriving of annoyances, injuries, or evils by indirect means.

the machinations of a party boss

Where would cabal be a reasonable alternative to machination?

Although the words cabal and machination have much in common, cabal typically applies to political intrigue involving persons of some eminence.

a cabal among powerful senators

In what contexts can conspiracy take the place of machination?

While the synonyms conspiracy and machination are close in meaning, conspiracy implies a secret agreement among several people usually involving treason or great treachery.

a conspiracy to fix prices

When might intrigue be a better fit than machination?

While in some cases nearly identical to machination, intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.

backstairs intrigue

When is plot a more appropriate choice than machination?

The words plot and machination can be used in similar contexts, but plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme.

an assassination plot

Examples 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 machination Kate Beckinsale detailed her experiences of systemic Hollywood sexism in a lengthy Instagram video, highlighting the machinations in place to silence women who dare to speak up about on-set assault or harassment. —

Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2024 But her routine is disrupted when an eight-year-old American boy arrives at the hotel and becomes wise to her machinations. —

The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024 And now there's a trailer to sate your thirst for Alan Cumming's sartorial flare or the machinations of reality stars and the occasional British Lord. —

Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 Dec. 2024 As absurd as its soapy machinations could become, Dead to Me turned out to be a genuinely moving tale of two platonic soulmates’ unconditional love for one another. —

Judy Berman, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for machination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for machination

Noun

The defendants were charged with 45 counts relating to the scheme, including conspiracy to defraud the U.S., wire fraud, and aiding and assisting in preparing false tax returns.

— Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2025
For her part, MacArthur on Friday focused the prosecution argument on the marquee count in the indictment: the racketeering conspiracy.

— Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 24 Jan. 2025