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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

Giancarlo Giorgetti, 55, is a veteran political wheeler-dealer viewed as a moderate and relatively pro-European member of his right-wing League party.

From Reuters • Oct. 21, 2022

Terry had, by this time, made London his home where he'd enjoy dancing to disco music and felt free to live how he wanted - which could sometimes be like a wheeler-dealer.

From BBC • Jul. 3, 2022

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

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