Machinations, hollowneſſe, treacherie, and all ruinous diſorders follow vs diſquietly to our Graues.
Source: wiktionary
Machination
/ˌmækɪˈneɪʃən/
Synonyms for "machination" (85 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (17)
Noun(2 words)
Strong matches (26)
Related words (42)
maneuversmanipulatingmanipulationmanoeuvremovepettifoggerypettifoggingplotplottingploypolitical influencepoliticspracticeriggingruseschemeschemeryschemingsharp practiceskulduggery
Show 14 more words
sleightstratagemsupercherietactical maneuverstacticstraptricktrickeryunderhand dealingunderplotweb of intriguewilewire pullingwire-pulling
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: intrigue, artifice, behind-the-scenes influence, cabal, chicane.
- Sentence evidence is available for machination, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "machination".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "machination"
Keep "machination" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "machination" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "machination", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "machination" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
7 entriesCollocations
6 entriesartful machinationbureaucratic machinationdiabolical machinationgrand machinationpolitical machinationssecret machinations
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
3 total sentences available.
He witnessed her palpitating bosom, the lifeless hues and disconsolate expression of her interesting countenance; yet, from the machinations of his evil passions, he would have proceeded further, until, entirely overcome, he had seen her drop motionless in her chair, in order that he might have the luxury of supporting her within his arms, and of recalling her to a sense of life and being.
Source: wiktionary
PATRICK: The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma.
Source: wiktionary
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "machination"?
Closest matches include intrigue, artifice, behind-the-scenes influence, cabal, chicane.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "machination"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.