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

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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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

Example 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 And the players tend to be reluctant to pontificate about the inner machinations of bargaining, especially on a stage purported to celebrate the game. — Andy McCullough, New York Times, 15 July 2026 Still, similar machinations continue to be played out by both parties. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026 Today's stock-market market conversation is dominated by structural dynamics, index machinations and mechanical flows the way World Cup chatter fixates on officiating decisions and bracket construction. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 7 July 2026 Speaking of political machinations, the match is already knee-deep in controversy. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for machination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for machination

Noun

In 2009, Bourke was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act for engaging in a scheme with Kozeny to bribe Azerbaijan government officials, spending a year and one day in prison starting in 2013.

— Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 27 July 2026
Federal prosecutors charged him with bribery, conspiracy and unauthorized computer access, and Dwyer ultimately pleaded guilty.

— David Niccolini, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Definition of conspiracy

Noun

These questions – not to mention the loss of former coach Mike McDaniel, who’s run scheme in 2025 was nothing short of wizardry – could potentially make or break the Dolphins.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
The scheme change under Parker impacted Marist Liufau arguably the most of any player on the roster, as the staff moved him from an off-ball inside linebacker role to a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

— Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 July 2026

Definition of scheme

Noun

The timing of the snow and ice melt, plus rainfalls, determines whether a plot of thawing permafrost is waterlogged — and whether carbon isn’t just turned into CO2, but also methane, a greenhouse gas four times as potent.

— Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Future plots to imprison a critic of the MAGA movement might not be undermined by a loudmouth president who can’t help but give away the scheme.

— Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026

Definition of plot

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machination

machinations

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“Machination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/machination. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of machination

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