Faustian

American  

[fou-stee-uhn] / ˈfaʊ sti ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Faust.

   a Faustian novel.

2. sacrificing spiritual values for power, knowledge, or material gain.

   a Faustian pact with the Devil.

3. characterized by spiritual dissatisfaction or torment.

4. possessed with a hunger for knowledge or mastery.

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ˈFaustian British  

/ ˈfaʊstɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Faust, esp reminiscent of his bargain with the devil

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Etymology

Origin of Faustian

First recorded in 1875–80; Faust + -ian

Example Sentences

Other versions of the Faustian bargain tale end in regret; in this one, Johnson is content with his choice.

From The Wall Street Journal

Maggie’s Faustian trade of other people’s pain for her stature and comfort, however, has enough familiarity to make some of us stuff down a frustrated scream.

From Salon

“I remember being in the set and being like, ‘This is so cool that I can have my own experience inside this Faustian experience,’” Baron says of “Life & Trust.”

From Los Angeles Times

That’s what made Brady Corbet’s “Vox Lux” — which should be considered the preeminent examination of the contemporary pop star — so beguiling: It saw fame as a Faustian pact with the devil.

From Salon

Such Faustian bargains always come with strings attached.

From Salon