Machiavellian
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌmæk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/
- Formal
:
maquiavélico
- I didn't think many people would say Stalin was a great person, but from the Machiavellian point of view, he would say he was great also.
Examples
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They are pure Machiavellians.
Blog text (5) -
During the course of this interview, Oriana Fallaci asked the then-secretary of state: "Not a Machiavellian by any chance, Dr. Kissinger?"
Academic text (1993) -
Now not all Machiavellian people are successful.
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Do the opening chapters strike you as "Machiavellian"?
Blog text (12) -
So like a Machiavellian individual in preparing for an interview like this would be thinking, OK, well, now I'm going to go on Bill's show.
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"To deny being Machiavellian seems an act of political prudence."
Academic text (1993) -
In fact, his execution of Bernie partakes more than a little of the Machiavellian.
Academic text (2001) -
A true Machiavellian will do whatever it takes to gain power, often using deceit and manipulation.
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Politicians with a Machiavellian mindset frequently prioritize their ambitions over ethical considerations.
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Some believe that adopting a Machiavellian approach in negotiations can lead to greater success.
Synonyms
100
5.4
A person who uses secret plans to gain power in a group
A friendly-looking person who secretly tricks others to gain power
A person who secretly plans to harm or trick others
Antonyms
How Manipulative
Surface Forms
Morphology
Machiavellian = Machiavelli (semi-transparent) = Machiavelli + ian
Formally 'Machiavelli' + '-ian' is clear, but the evaluative sense 'cunning, deceitful' depends on cultural knowledge of Machiavelli and is not predictable from the name alone.
Etymology
Machiavellian comes from the name of the Italian writer Machiavelli, who wrote a book called 'The Prince' advising rulers to use clever tricks and even lies to keep power. So a Machiavellian is a person who uses 'clever but dishonest' methods to get what they want.