Machiavellian
Americanadjective
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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.
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characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty.
He resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get ahead.
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of Machiavellian
First recorded in 1560–70; Machiavelli + -an
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At first it seemed a straightforward Machiavellian move; Graham wanted influence in the new administration.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
Newman became one of reality television’s more memorable villains thanks to her run on “The Apprentice,” where her Machiavellian ways and unapologetic ambition revolted viewers and impressed her fake boss.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
He has only given you that $1,000 as an opening gambit, and now he wants something from you, but he is too Machiavellian to ask for it outright.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 25, 2026
She was also keenly aware that her Machiavellian husband was suddenly a foreign-policy expert without portfolio and, as such, was likely to get his idle self in trouble.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2025
With that in mind I don’t think I’ll put down the Machiavellian Intelligence Officer’s name.
From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
