Machiavelli
4 synonyms for Machiavelli, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person who schemes and manipulates others cunningly and without moral scruple, in order to gain or hold power.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Machiavelli
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
a real Machiavelli
act like a Machiavelli
Etymology
From Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), the Italian political writer whose book The Prince argued that rulers may need to use ruthless, unscrupulous methods to gain and keep power.
Full origin of Machiavelli →Frequently asked questions
What does “Machiavelli” mean?
The word “Machiavelli” means a person who schemes and manipulates others cunningly and without moral scruple, in order to gain or hold power. In plain terms, used as a common noun for someone who behaves like the historical Machiavelli — calculating, manipulative, and focused purely on gaining power.
How do you use “Machiavelli” in a sentence?
Here is “Machiavelli” used in a sentence: “Colleagues called him a real Machiavelli for how he outmanoeuvred every rival for the promotion.”
What part of speech is “Machiavelli”?
“Machiavelli” is a noun.
Where does the word “Machiavelli” come from?
The word “Machiavelli” dates back to around 1469 and comes from Italian. From Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), the Italian political writer whose book The Prince argued that rulers may need to use ruthless, unscrupulous methods to gain and keep power.
