Synonyms of machination

machination

noun

ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən 

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

• conspiracy
• scheme
• plot
• intrigue
• strategy
• design
• subterfuge
• manipulation
• trickery
• stratagem
• maneuver
• cabal
• counterplot
• contrivance
• collusion
• racket
• confederacy
• frame-up
• system
• connivance
• complicity
• conniving
• dodge
• program
• counterconspiracy
• cover-up
• artifice
• draft
• ground plan
• gimmick
• trick
• conspiration
• ring
• game

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

Recent Examples of machination

At the Chandler rally, one of her fans told me that deep-state machinations must have been to blame for the result. —Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2024

During the chaotic months between the 2020 election and Biden’s inauguration in January 2021, Byrne was extremely involved in the various machinations from the Oval Office to try and undo the election. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2024

But once the conclave starts, so do the machinations, power grabs — and revelations that could rattle the Catholic Church. —Chris Foran, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024

The center’s job is to mitigate the effects of such machinations, and one of its main tools is forewarning voters through public bulletins. —David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2024