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machiavellian

Mach·i·a·vel·li·an
M m

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [mak-ee-uh-vel-ee-uh n]
    • /ˌmæk i əˈvɛl i ən/
    • /ˌmæk.i.əˈvel.i.ən/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [mak-ee-uh-vel-ee-uh n]
    • /ˌmæk i əˈvɛl i ən/

Definitions of machiavellian word

  • adjective machiavellian of, like, or befitting Machiavelli. 1
  • adjective machiavellian being or acting in accordance with the principles of government analyzed in Machiavelli's The Prince, in which political expediency is placed above morality and the use of craft and deceit to maintain the authority and carry out the policies of a ruler is described. 1
  • adjective machiavellian characterized by subtle or unscrupulous cunning, deception, expediency, or dishonesty: He resorted to Machiavellian tactics in order to get ahead. 1
  • noun machiavellian a follower of the principles analyzed or described in The Prince, especially with reference to techniques of political manipulation. 1
  • noun machiavellian Alternative form of Machiavellian. 1
  • adjective machiavellian unscrupulous, scheming 1
See all 13 definitions of machiavellian

Information block about the term

Origin of machiavellian

First appearance:

before 1560
One of the 32% oldest English words
First recorded in 1560-70; Machiavelli + -an

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Machiavellian

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Machiavellian

machiavellian popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 63% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

machiavellian usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for machiavellian

adj machiavellian

  • opportunist — a person who practices opportunism, or the policy of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles: He is an extreme opportunist and always thinks the ends justify the means.
  • cunning — Someone who is cunning has the ability to achieve things in a clever way, often by deceiving other people.
  • artful — If you describe someone as artful, you mean that they are clever and skilful at achieving what they want, especially by deceiving people.
  • astute — If you describe someone as astute, you think they show an understanding of behaviour and situations, and are skilful at using this knowledge to their own advantage.
  • calculating — If you describe someone as calculating, you disapprove of the fact that they deliberately plan to get what they want, often by hurting or harming other people.

adjective machiavellian

  • tricky — given to or characterized by deceitful tricks; crafty; wily.
  • amoral — If you describe someone as amoral, you do not like the way they behave because they do not seem to care whether what they do is right or wrong.
  • treacherous — characterized by faithlessness or readiness to betray trust; traitorous.
  • scheming — given to making plans, especially sly and underhand ones; crafty.
  • expedient — (of an action) Convenient and practical, although possibly improper or immoral.
All 21 Synonyms of machiavellian

Antonyms for machiavellian

adjective machiavellian

  • honest — honorable in principles, intentions, and actions; upright and fair: an honest person.
Just one Antonym for machiavellian

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