Machiavellian

/,mækiə'veliən/

Thân thiện

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Characterized by cunning, duplicity, or bad faith: Describes behavior or thinking that is shrewd, deceptive, and focused on self-interest and expediency, often with a disregard for ethics or morality.
   • Of or relating to the political principles of Niccolò Machiavelli: Pertaining to the ideas, especially concerning statecraft and political power, advocated by the 16th-century Italian philosopher and statesman.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous: Someone who acts according to the principles of political expediency and deception.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The CEO's machiavellian tactics for eliminating rivals shocked the board.
  • His rise to power was marked by a machiavellian understanding of office politics.
• Noun:
  • He is considered a machiavellian who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
  • The historical figure was a true machiavellian, manipulating allies and enemies alike.

Advanced Usage

• Machiavellian intelligence: A concept in psychology and primatology referring to the capacity of an individual to be socially manipulative and deceptive to achieve personal goals.
  • The study of primate behavior often explores the evolution of machiavellian intelligence.
• Machiavellianism: (A related noun) The employment of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or in general conduct.
  • His leadership was infamous for its sheer machiavellianism.

Variants and Related Words

• Machiavellianism (n): The political doctrine or practice of being unscrupulous and cunning.
• Machiavellianly (adv): In a manner characteristic of Machiavellian principles.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Cunning, scheming, devious, crafty, manipulative, unscrupulous, duplicitous.
• Noun: Schemer, manipulator, intriguer.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Principled, scrupulous, ethical, straightforward, ingenuous, naive.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Machiavellian plot: A complex and cunning scheme.
  • The novel revolves around a machiavellian plot to seize the throne.
• Machiavellian prince: A ruler who governs using the principles of realpolitik and expediency.
  • The biography portrayed the king as a modern machiavellian prince.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended
   • Machiavellian thinking

Noun

1. a follower of Machiavelli's principles

Từ đồng nghĩa

• machiavellian