adj

Machiavellian

mak-ee-uh-VEHL-ee-uhn

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Machiavellian (adj) means willing to use cunning, deception, or ruthless scheming to achieve power or goals, especially in politics. Example: “His Machiavellian tactics won him the promotion but cost him his colleagues' trust.”

adj

Willing to use cunning, deception, or ruthless scheming to achieve power or goals, especially in politics.

"The most common reason cited is a Machiavellian one: Police view perjury as a necessary means to achieve the ends of justice." — Larry Cunningham, Taking on Testilying (1999)

"These are the actions of a club flailing around to make things work, not the 4D chess moves of some Machiavellian puppet master." — , Messi’s Departure Is a Mess Everyone Could See Coming (2021)

"Iago is the Machiavellian antagonist in William Shakespeare's play Othello."

"His Machiavellian tactics won him the promotion but cost him his colleagues' trust."

"The show is full of Machiavellian office politics."

How to use Machiavellian

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes someone who schemes and manipulates without moral limits to get what they want.

Common mistake

Usually carries a negative, critical tone — it's rarely used as a compliment.

Common pairings

Machiavellian scheme Machiavellian tactics Machiavellian politician

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: Machiavellians
Comparative: more Machiavellian
Superlative: most Machiavellian

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His _____ tactics won him the promotion but cost him his colleagues' trust.

Etymology

From the name of Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), the Italian writer whose book "The Prince" argued that rulers may need to use unethical methods to gain and keep power.

Origin: Italian · First attested 1469

Class of 1469 Machiavellian joined the language around 1469.

Machiavelli

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Antonyms

scrupulous

Related words

thorough rigorous conscientious meticulous scrupulous painstaking unscrupulous

Rhymes for Machiavellian

Asian radian Fabian Indian Syrian simian median Italian Russian Persian Serbian Latvian

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Frequently asked questions

What does “Machiavellian” mean?

The word “Machiavellian” means willing to use cunning, deception, or ruthless scheming to achieve power or goals, especially in politics. In plain terms, describes someone who schemes and manipulates without moral limits to get what they want.

How do you pronounce “Machiavellian”?

“Machiavellian” is pronounced mak-ee-uh-VEHL-ee-uhn (/ˌmɑk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Machiavellian” in a sentence?

Here is “Machiavellian” used in a sentence: “His Machiavellian tactics won him the promotion but cost him his colleagues' trust.”

What part of speech is “Machiavellian”?

“Machiavellian” is an adjective.

Where does the word “Machiavellian” come from?

The word “Machiavellian” dates back to around 1469 and comes from Italian. From the name of Niccolò Machiavelli (1469-1527), the Italian writer whose book "The Prince" argued that rulers may need to use unethical methods to gain and keep power.

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