machiavel
Definition
- Noun:
- A cunning and unscrupulous person: "machiavel" refers to an individual who employs deceit, manipulation, and unethical tactics to achieve their goals, especially in politics or power struggles. The term derives from Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance political philosopher known for his pragmatic and often cynical advice in The Prince.
Usage Examples
- (A deceitful person who manipulates for power.)
- (A cunning and unscrupulous character.)
Advanced Usage
- "to play the machiavel": to act in a manipulative or deceitful manner.
- The advisor played the machiavel, whispering false rumors to turn the king against his allies. (He acted cunningly and unscrupulously.)
Variants and Related Words
Machiavellian (adj): characterized by cunning, deceit, and unscrupulous behavior, especially in politics.
- Her machiavellian tactics shocked the board members. (Her manipulative and unethical methods.)
Machiavellianism (n): the political doctrine of Machiavelli, or the practice of cunning and duplicity in statecraft or general conduct.
- The diplomat’s machiavellianism was evident in his double-dealing negotiations. (His use of deceit for political advantage.)
Synonyms
- Schemer: a person who makes secret and dishonest plans.
- Intriguer: someone who engages in secret plots or schemes.
- Manipulator: a person who controls or influences others in a clever or unscrupulous way.
Related Idioms
The ends justify the means: a phrase often associated with Machiavellian thinking, meaning that any method, even unethical, is acceptable if it achieves a desired goal.
- The CEO believed the ends justified the means, so he approved the deceptive advertising campaign. (He accepted dishonesty for profit.)
A wolf in sheep’s clothing: someone who pretends to be harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful.
- The friendly neighbor turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a machiavel who stole from the elderly. (A deceptive person hiding malicious intent.)