machiavellian
machiavellian — adjective
- machiavellianpositive
- more machiavelliancomparative
- most machiavelliansuperlative
1. clever and secretly dishonest in the way you treat people, often tricking or con
clever and secretly dishonest in the way you treat people, often tricking or controlling them in order to gain power or achieve your own goals
Christopher used machiavellian tactics to push his rivals out of the company.
machiavellian + noun: machiavellian tactics
Critics called the CEO's secret plan a machiavellian power grab.
call X a machiavellian + noun
Elena admired how machiavellian the senator was when crushing every political rival.
Reporters described the dictator's rise to power as deeply machiavellian and cruel.
Behind her friendly smile, Mayumi had a machiavellian streak that frightened her coworkers.
- cunning
clever at getting what you want, but without the strong power-politics flavour
- scheming
stresses making secret plans; less tied to ruthlessness or grand ambition
- manipulative
emphasises controlling people's feelings rather than political cunning
- devious
about using dishonest, indirect methods in general, not specifically for power
- straightforward
open and honest, with no hidden plans
- principled
guided by clear morals, unwilling to deceive for advantage
文法句型
machiavellian + noun
be machiavellian
用法筆記
Frequently written with a capital M ('Machiavellian') because it comes from the surname Machiavelli; both spellings are accepted. It most often modifies words such as 'plan', 'scheme', 'tactics', or describes a person who manipulates others to gain power.