machiavellian
/,mækiə'veliən/
Definition
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.
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.
Adjective
- of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended
- Machiavellian thinking
Noun
- a follower of Machiavelli's principles
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