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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of machination
There are times, though, when the filmmaker makes his machinations too obvious, as with the too-cute cross-cutting illustrating how the characters are all caught in the same web.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
With such broad big-brand experience, Mulier may be well equipped to navigate the machinations of Versace and the Prada Group.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
What is clear, however, is machinations are under way across the league to offer up the best possible packages for the best possible player who has come to market in years.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
Lots of machinations to come on that front for Denver's coaching staff.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for machination
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
With such broad big-brand experience, Mulier may be well equipped to navigate the machinations of Versace and the Prada Group.
—Lucy Maguire, Vogue, 5 Feb. 2026
What is clear, however, is machinations are under way across the league to offer up the best possible packages for the best possible player who has come to market in years.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 29 Jan. 2026
Lots of machinations to come on that front for Denver's coaching staff.
—Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 17 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for machination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for machination
Noun
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Again, conspiracy to commit murder and the murder itself.—
Marcelena Spencer,
CBS News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Jurors found Song, Morris, the Sotos, Hill, Batten, Rueda and Evetts guilty of rioting, providing material support to terrorists, conspiracy to use and carry an explosive, and using and carrying explosives during a riot.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated March 13,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Fitting back into the scheme after his absence, James focused on setting screens for the short-handed frontcourt that was without Jaxson Hayes (back soreness) and Maxi Kleber (lumbar back strain).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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His ball production gives new defensive coordinator Christian Parker a scheme-fit defensive back that can help create turnovers for a defense that was tied for the second-least interceptions in 2025.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Don Abelardo Rodriguez, son of the Mexican president, spotted this plot of land from helicopter and turned it into a private home and eventually the region's first resort.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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Officials acknowledged no verified intelligence of a specific plot.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Machination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/machination. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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