machination
Devious secret scheme
A machination is a crafty scheme or plot, usually one designed to harm someone or gain an unfair advantage.
The word nearly always appears in the plural, suggesting a web of interconnected schemes: The novel exposed the machinations of corrupt politicians.
Machinations typically involve secrecy, manipulation, and calculated moves—the kind of plotting associated with villains, rival factions, or ambitious schemers working behind the scenes.
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- seditionInciting revolt against government
- subversionUndermining established authority
betrayal · complicity · coup · plot · confederacy · treachery · insurrection · putsch
Deliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
duplicity · ruse · stratagem · artifice · pretense · smokescreen · feint · misdirection
Calculated deceptive tactic
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
- countermoveResponding strategic action
chess · power-play · leverage · positioning · outmaneuvering · flanking · endgame · checkmate
Devising a secret plan
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
mastermind · orchestration · puppeteer · behind-the-scenes · engineering · contriving · finagling · angling
Skilled at deception
- craftyCleverly deceptive
- shrewdPractically clever, perceptive
- artfulCleverly deceptive
- slyCleverly deceptive
guileful · calculating · Machiavellian · insidious · devious · foxy · cagey · astute
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
spycraft · undercover · moles · intelligence · sabotage · reconnaissance · wiretapping · handler
cabal
Scheming political faction
- collusionFraudulent secret cooperation
- treasonBetraying one's nation
- seditionInciting revolt against government
subversion · betrayal · complicity · coup · plot · confederacy · treachery · insurrection · putsch · junta
subterfuge
Deliberate deception to conceal
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- deceitDeliberate misleading of others
- guileSly, strategic dishonesty
chicanery · duplicity · ruse · stratagem · artifice · pretense · smokescreen · feint · misdirection · sleight
ploy
Calculated deceptive tactic
- gambitRisky opening for advantage
- maneuverDeliberate tactical movement
- stratagemDeceptive plan for advantage
countermove · chess · power-play · leverage · positioning · outmaneuvering · flanking · endgame · checkmate · trap
plotting
Devising a secret plan
- connivingSecretly planning wrongdoing
- calculatingColdly self-serving in strategy
- deviousUnderhanded and calculating
manipulation · mastermind · orchestration · puppeteer · behind-the-scenes · engineering · contriving · finagling · angling · maneuvering
wily
Skilled at deception
sly · guileful · calculating · Machiavellian · insidious · devious · foxy · cagey · astute · serpentine
covert
Intentionally concealed
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
counterintelligence · spycraft · undercover · moles · intelligence · sabotage · reconnaissance · wiretapping · handler · asset
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- cunningcunning, craftiness, crafty, guile, slyness
- court intrigueintrigue, plots, schemes, plotting, conspiracy
- schemesschemes, scheme, plots, plot, conspiracies
- deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
- betrayalbackstab, betray, betrayal, traitor, backstabber
machinationhonesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
candor · straightforwardness · directness · forthrightness · sincerity