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Machiavellianism

[ mak-ee-uh-vel-ee-uh-niz-uhm ]
/ ˌmæk i əˈvɛl i əˌnɪz əm /
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noun
a political theory advocating the principles of government analyzed in Machiavelli’s The Prince, in which political expediency is placed above morality, and craft and deceit are used to maintain the authority and carry out the policies of a ruler: In this and other countries, Machiavellianism currently dominates foreign policy.
behavior characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty:The dark side of social intelligence includes the impulsive, thrill-seeking, callous behavior of psychopaths and the deceitful and exploitative nature of Machiavellianism.
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Rarely Mach·i·a·vel·i·an·ism .

Origin of Machiavellianism

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

How to use Machiavellianism in a sentence

  • And Mr. Dugdale smiled with the most amiable and innocent Machiavellianism.

    Agatha's Husband|Dinah Maria Craik (AKA: Dinah Maria Mulock)
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