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Synonyms

wheeler-dealer

American  
[hwee-ler-dee-ler, wee-] / ˈʰwi lərˈdi lər, ˈwi- /
Sometimes wheeler and dealer

noun

Informal.
  1. a person who wheels and deals.


wheeler-dealer British  

noun

  1. informal a person who wheels and deals

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of wheeler-dealer

First recorded in 1950–55

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.

Whereas Altman can be seen as a wheeler-dealer, racing to cut big deals to grow fast, Amodei staked out a comparably measured position—almost academic or, some might say, zealous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

Economy Minister Massa, a wheeler-dealer with connections across the political divide, is meanwhile pledging a unity government and has looked to win over moderate conservatives.

From Reuters • Nov. 14, 2023

In the labyrinthine world of Italian politics, Silvio Berlusconi was the supreme wheeler-dealer - a man who merged business and public life like no other.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2023

Farmer: Chargers GM Tom Telesco isn’t a wheeler-dealer during the season.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2021

Presenting himself as a global wheeler-dealer to voters in his multicultural borough, Mr. Adams signed at least five sister city agreements on Brooklyn’s behalf in countries he visited, including two in China.

From New York Times • Oct. 23, 2021