machinationsnoun [ plural ]
uk/ˌmæʃ.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz//ˌmæk.ɪˈneɪ.ʃənz/us/ˌmæʃ.əˈneɪ.ʃənz//ˌmæk.əˈneɪ.ʃənz/complicated and secret plans to get power or control or to gain an advantage:
Despite a commitment to a more open government, the public is still being kept in the dark about the inner machinations of the Cabinet.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Plotting & trapping
- be in league with sb idiom
- cahoots
- catch sb out
- chicanery
- cloak-and-dagger
- conspiratorial
- conspire
- entrap
- entrapment
- hatch
- have a card up your sleeve idiom
- plot
- plotter
- put-up job
- scheme
- set-up
- snare
- sting
- stratagem
- trap
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