Definitions

deus ex machina

[dey-uhs eks mah-kuh-nuh, dee-uhs eks mak-uh-nuh] / ˈdeɪ əs ɛks ˈmɑ kə nə, ˈdi əs ɛks ˈmæk ə nə /

NOUN

unconvincing character who resolves plot

Synonyms

WEAK

contrivance device divine intervention gimmick god in the machine happy coincidence

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For Apple, as for Jobs, the whole episode involved the kind of deus ex machina you could never get away with in fiction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Elsbeth was created as a deus ex machina.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2025

A kind of deus ex machina, he pops into the novel at key points, offering incredible amounts of money like a possibly sinister fairy godmother in a Brothers Grimm tale.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

With truth under assault and accountability seemingly non-existent, a billion-dollar bullhorn sharing micro-targeted messages on multiple platforms may not be an ideal deus ex machina, but it is the one our info-siloed public square demands.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024

“A deus ex machina, then, in a double sense,” said Dr. Calvin, dryly.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov