Machiavellian

[ mak-ee-uh-vel-ee-uhn ]

/ ˌmæk i əˈvɛl i ən /

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See synonyms for Machiavellian on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, like, or befitting Machiavelli.

being or acting in accordance with the principles of government analyzed in Machiavelli's The Prince, in which political expediency is placed above morality and the use of craft and deceit to maintain the authority and carry out the policies of a ruler is described.

characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty: He resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get ahead.

noun

a follower of the principles analyzed or described in The Prince, especially with reference to techniques of political manipulation.

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Sometimes Mach·i·a·vel·i·an .

Origin of Machiavellian

First recorded in 1560–70; Machiavelli + -an

OTHER WORDS FROM Machiavellian

Mach·i·a·vel·li·an·ism, Mach·i·a·vel·i·an·ism, nounMach·i·a·vel·li·an·ly, Mach·i·a·vel·i·an·ly, adverb

Words nearby Machiavellian

Machen, macher, ma chère, machete, Machiavelli, Machiavellian, Machiavellianism, Machiavelli, Niccolò, machi chips, machicolate, machicolation

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Machiavellian in a sentence

The senator, a college gridiron star, has a coldly Machiavellian widow.
Better Than Fiction: The Rise, Fall, And Return of Webb Hubbell|Lloyd Grove|May 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
El Comandante used his Machiavellian bag of tricks to fuel a spoils system and political juggernaut that Venezuelans worshiped.
Hugo Chávez’s House of Cards|Mac Margolis|March 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She is popular within the Democratic caucus, and there is no apparent Machiavellian maneuvering to unseat her.
Nancy Pelosi’s Tireless Obamacare Push Vindicated by Supreme Court Ruling|Eleanor Clift|July 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
“George is not a Machiavellian self-interested monster,” Ashton said calmly on the last day of rebuttal.
In the Jury's Hands|Diane Dimond|July 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST

From Tribal Council to taxes to Trump, trouble seems to follow the Machiavellian reality-TV competitor.
Richard Hatch Can't Win|Andy Dehnart|May 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It was at that time they displayed that astute and patiently Machiavellian policy, which finally led to their triumph.
The Border Rifles|Gustave Aimard
Hasan, brought up in this atmosphere of duplicity, was therefore well fitted to play the Machiavellian rôle of an Ismaili Dai.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster
Such was Ralegh's machiavellian policy that he would never confer with but one at once.
Sir Walter Ralegh|William Stebbing
Until Germany abandons this Machiavellian doctrine it will be impossible to treat her as a civilized Power.
Secret Societies And Subversive Movements|Nesta H. Webster
A soldier of fortune, like his illustrious chief, he distinguished himself chiefly by his Machiavellian talents for diplomacy.
A History of the Nineteenth Century, Year by Year|Edwin Emerson

British Dictionary definitions for Machiavellian

Machiavellian

Machiavelian

/ (ˌmækɪəˈvɛlɪən) /

adjective (sometimes not capital)

of or relating to the alleged political principles of Machiavelli; cunning, amoral, and opportunist

noun

a cunning, amoral, and opportunist person, esp a politician

Derived forms of Machiavellian

Machiavellianism or Machiavellism, nounMachiavellist, adjective, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012