machination

/ˌma-kə-ˈnā-shən/

noun

  1. an act of machinating

  2. a scheming or crafty action or artful design intended to accomplish some usually evil end

plot intrigue machination conspiracy cabal mean a plan secretly devised to accomplish an evil or treacherous end. plot implies careful foresight in planning a complex scheme. intrigue suggests secret underhanded maneuvering in an atmosphere of duplicity.