Machination
noun
A clever plan that is secretly created to do something evil or harmful.
The traitor was caught in his own machination, which ended in his downfall.
Often appears as...
- elaborate machination
- devious machination
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A process or system that is complex and difficult to control or understand.
The bureaucratic machination in the organization left everyone feeling confused and frustrated.
Often appears as...
- political machination
- governmental machination
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A machine or piece of machinery.
The machination stood still, rusty from years of neglect.
Often appears as...
- old machination
- rusted machination
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
A clever plan that is secretly created to do something evil or harmful.
The traitor was caught in his own machination, which ended in his downfall.
Often appears as...
- elaborate machination
- devious machination
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A process or system that is complex and difficult to control or understand.
The bureaucratic machination in the organization left everyone feeling confused and frustrated.
Often appears as...
- political machination
- governmental machination
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
A machine or piece of machinery.
The machination stood still, rusty from years of neglect.
Often appears as...
- old machination
- rusted machination
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Machination implies harmful intentions, often with a sense of secrecy and intelligence.
He whispered about his latest machination against his rival.
Pro Tip 2/3Drama and Intrigue
Often used in contexts that involve drama, such as political thrillers or mysterious plots.
The novel's villain's machination added a layer of suspense.
Pro Tip 3/3Elaborate Plots
Suggests a complex, well-thought-out plan, not a simple or straightforward one.
Her machination involved several steps and alibis.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Machination implies harmful intentions, often with a sense of secrecy and intelligence.
He whispered about his latest machination against his rival.
Pro Tip 2/3Drama and Intrigue
Often used in contexts that involve drama, such as political thrillers or mysterious plots.
The novel's villain's machination added a layer of suspense.
Pro Tip 3/3Elaborate Plots
Suggests a complex, well-thought-out plan, not a simple or straightforward one.
Her machination involved several steps and alibis.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Machination implies harmful intentions, often with a sense of secrecy and intelligence.
He whispered about his latest machination against his rival.
Pro Tip 2/3Drama and Intrigue
Often used in contexts that involve drama, such as political thrillers or mysterious plots.
The novel's villain's machination added a layer of suspense.
Pro Tip 3/3Elaborate Plots
Suggests a complex, well-thought-out plan, not a simple or straightforward one.
Her machination involved several steps and alibis.
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Video examples
Why should you read...
and how he should carry out revenge. This can make Hamlet more than a little exasperating, but it also makes him one of the most human characters Shakespeare ever created. Rather than rushing into things, Hamlet becomes consumed with the awful machinations of thinking itself.
Video examples
Never, ever give up PIPE...
I just went into thinking about this dream, and why and how. As I said, when I turned 60, it wasn't about that concrete "Can you do it?" That's the everyday machinations.
Video examples
Why should you read...
and how he should carry out revenge. This can make Hamlet more than a little exasperating, but it also makes him one of the most human characters Shakespeare ever created. Rather than rushing into things, Hamlet becomes consumed with the awful machinations of thinking itself.
Video examples
Never, ever give up PIPE...
I just went into thinking about this dream, and why and how. As I said, when I turned 60, it wasn't about that concrete "Can you do it?" That's the everyday machinations.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Senator McCain is Israel's most unconditional ally in Mossad's machinations, something that even his worst adversaries would have been able to imagine. McCain participated alongside this secret service in the creation of the Islamic State, which has appropriated a considerable part of Iraq as well as a third of Syria, according to its affirmations.
Quote examples
Mackenzie Davis
Canadian Actress
I'm really aware of the conversations that surround young actresses in Hollywood. I always get myself into a hole with these conversations, and I get weirdly quoted, and I sound militant and like I'm not thankful at all, and I'm so thankful of everything that's happening. But I'm an active observer of the machinations of this world.
Quote examples
Maxwell
American Musician
I will say to all the fellas out there that, seriously, I am a setup. I'm just like rose petals. I'm like incense. I'm a background thing for you when you do your thing with your lady. I'm a friend, only assisting you in your lurve machinations. So have no fear of me, people.
Quote examples
Steve Daines
American Politician
I'm very proud that our country still produces people like my son, who choose the path less traveled; that knowingly step up to serve, even though our country is tearing itself apart with things like political machinations.
Quote examples
Holly Hunter
American Actress
I object to the actual phrase 'Follow me.' You've gotta be kidding! Why would I want to follow anybody else? Nor do I want them to follow me. The machinations of my life, the banalities - they're mine. They belong to me.
Quote examples
Whitney Tilson
American Businessman
The deal machinations many companies put themselves through, while certainly a bonanza for investment bankers, can confound the typical investor.
Quote examples
John C. Bogle
American Businessman
As I have said before, the daily machinations of the stock market are like a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Quote examples
J. D. Souther
American Musician
I never fully understand all the drama and machinations within the Eagles.
Quote examples
Natalie Dormer
English Actress
I'm not clever enough to be in machinations and real politics.
Quote examples
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Leader
I'm not consumed with political machinations.
Quote examples
Fidel Castro
Statesman
Senator McCain is Israel's most unconditional ally in Mossad's machinations, something that even his worst adversaries would have been able to imagine. McCain participated alongside this secret service in the creation of the Islamic State, which has appropriated a considerable part of Iraq as well as a third of Syria, according to its affirmations.
Quote examples
Mackenzie Davis
Canadian Actress
I'm really aware of the conversations that surround young actresses in Hollywood. I always get myself into a hole with these conversations, and I get weirdly quoted, and I sound militant and like I'm not thankful at all, and I'm so thankful of everything that's happening. But I'm an active observer of the machinations of this world.
Quote examples
Maxwell
American Musician
I will say to all the fellas out there that, seriously, I am a setup. I'm just like rose petals. I'm like incense. I'm a background thing for you when you do your thing with your lady. I'm a friend, only assisting you in your lurve machinations. So have no fear of me, people.
Quote examples
Steve Daines
American Politician
I'm very proud that our country still produces people like my son, who choose the path less traveled; that knowingly step up to serve, even though our country is tearing itself apart with things like political machinations.
Quote examples
Holly Hunter
American Actress
I object to the actual phrase 'Follow me.' You've gotta be kidding! Why would I want to follow anybody else? Nor do I want them to follow me. The machinations of my life, the banalities - they're mine. They belong to me.
Quote examples
Whitney Tilson
American Businessman
The deal machinations many companies put themselves through, while certainly a bonanza for investment bankers, can confound the typical investor.
Quote examples
John C. Bogle
American Businessman
As I have said before, the daily machinations of the stock market are like a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Quote examples
J. D. Souther
American Musician
I never fully understand all the drama and machinations within the Eagles.
Quote examples
Natalie Dormer
English Actress
I'm not clever enough to be in machinations and real politics.
Quote examples
Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Leader
I'm not consumed with political machinations.
Example 1 of 10
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