MACHINATION

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

Meaning:

A crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends

Synonyms:

intrigue; machination

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("machination" is a kind of...):

game; plot; secret plan (a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "machination"):

priestcraft (a derogatory reference to priests who use their influence to control secular or political affairs)

Derivation:

machinate (engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together)

machinate (arrange by systematic planning and united effort)