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- DictionaryMachiavellian/ˌmakjəˈvɛlɪən/
adjective
- 1. cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics: "a whole range of outrageous Machiavellian manoeuvres"
noun
- 1. a person who schemes in a Machiavellian way.
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1. : of or relating to Machiavelli or Machiavellianism. 2. : suggesting the principles of conduct laid down by Machiavelli. specifically : marked by cunning, duplicity, or bad faith. He relied on Machiavellian tactics to get elected. Machiavellian noun.
Machiavellian definition: 1. using clever but often dishonest methods that deceive people so that you can win power or…. Learn more.
Someone Machiavellian is sneaky, cunning, and lacking a moral code. The word comes from the Italian philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli, who wrote the political treatise The Prince in the 1500s, that encourages “the end justifies the means” behavior, especially among politicians.
(formal, disapproving) using clever plans to achieve what you want, without people realizing what you are doing synonym cunning, unscrupulous. There were press accusations of Machiavellian deception. Word Origin. The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words.
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the word Machiavellian. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. Machiavellian is considered derogatory.
Aug 25, 2024 · Machiavellian (comparative more Machiavellian, superlative most Machiavellian) Attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.
of, like, or characterized by the political principles and methods of expediency, craftiness, and duplicity set forth in Machiavelli's book, The Prince; crafty, deceitful, etc.
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.
the use of clever but often dishonest methods that deceive people in order to win power or control: Saying that scientists misinform the press suggests a Machiavellianism that is hard to support. a tale of business-world Machiavellianism. See.
MACHIAVELLIAN meaning: using clever lies and tricks in order to get or achieve something clever and dishonest.
