Meaning & use
machinations
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“machinations” is a form of “machination”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounpluraldisapproving
Secret and complicated plans, usually intended to gain power or harm others.
Grammar: Almost always used in the plural with a plural verb: 'the machinations of the court were exposed.'
Patterns
- the machinations of someone
- political machinations
- someone's machinations
The novel describes the machinations of a royal court.
Voters grew tired of the machinations inside the party.
His machinations finally cost him his job.
nouncountableformal
A single secret plot or scheming action.
Grammar: The singular 'machination' is rarer but possible: 'one last machination.'
Patterns
- a machination against someone
The report uncovered a machination against the director.
Every machination was recorded in his private diary.
Word forms
| singular | machination |
|---|
Common combinations
- political machinations
- The scandal exposed the political machinations behind the vote.
- the machinations of
- She distrusted the machinations of her rivals.
- plot and machination
- The story is full of plot and machination.
- behind-the-scenes machinations
- Behind-the-scenes machinations decided who got the contract.
Synonyms and how they differ
- scheming
- Scheming is the activity of making secret plans; machinations refers to the plans themselves.
- intrigue
- Intrigue can mean secret plotting in general, while machinations stresses complicated, calculated plans.
- plots
- Plots are secret plans, often in stories; machinations sounds more formal and more disapproving.
Word family
- machinate verb
- to make secret plans, usually to do something wrong
- machinator noun
- a person who makes secret and harmful plans
Commonly confused: machinations or mechanizations? machinations or manipulations?
machinations vs mechanizations
Mechanizations means making something mechanical or automatic; machinations means secret plotting.
machinations vs manipulations
Manipulations means controlling people or things skillfully, often unfairly; machinations focuses on the secret plans themselves.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'machinations' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Machinations are secret plans, so 'the machinations of the two advisers' fits. Option A confuses it with 'machines' or 'mechanisms', C uses it as a verb, and D uses it as a feeling, which it is not.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “machinations”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.