Definition of Machiavellian

1. Noun. A follower of Machiavelli's principles.

Generic synonyms: Follower

2. Adjective. Of or relating to Machiavelli or the principles of conduct he recommended. "Machiavellian thinking"
Partainyms: Machiavelli, Machiavellianism
Derivative terms: Machiavelli

Definition of Machiavellian

1. Adjective. Attempting to achieve their goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods. ¹

2. Adjective. Related to the philosophical system of Niccolò Machiavelli. ¹

3. Noun. A ruthless schemer. ¹

4. Adjective. (alternative form of Machiavellian) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Machiavellian

Mach line
Mach number
Macha
Machado-Guerreiro test
Machado-Joseph
Machaeranthera
Machaeranthera bigelovii
Machaeranthera tanacetifolia
Machaeranthera tortifoloia
Machame
Machead
Macheads
Machen
Machiavel
Machiavelli
Machiavellian
Machiavellianism
Machiavellians
Machiavellis
Machilidae
Machin
Machins
Machmeter
Machmeters
Machu Picchu
Machupo virus
Macintosh
Macintoshes
Mack
Mack Sennett

Literary usage of Machiavellian

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. World Politics at the End of the Nineteenth Century: As Influenced by the by Paul Samuel Reinsch (1900)
"... just as cen- I turies ago in the birth struggle of nationalism, machiavellian thought and machiavellian means ' are characteristic of political action. ..."

2. A History of English Poetry by William John Courthope (1903)
"For it is plain that the author of The Troublesome Raigne was of the school of Marlowe, and composed his play on the machiavellian principles favoured by ..."

3. The Era of the Protestant Revolution by Frederic Seebohm, George Park Fisher (1891)
"He became, as it were, the demon of politics, and the unchristian policy of the times became known to after ages as ' machiavellian.' CHAPTER II. ..."

4. The People's Government by David Jayne Hill (1915)
"THE INFLUENCE OF THE machiavellian CONCEPTION However much our feelings may revolt against this crude form of political philosophy, it must be admitted that ..."

5. England and Germany by Emile Joseph Dillon (1917)
"CHAPTER VIII A machiavellian TRICK BY WHICH RUSSIA'S HAND WAS FORCED THE world is now aware, although it can hardly be said to realize, ..."

6. Our Faithful Ally, the Nizam: Being an Historical Sketch of Events, Showing by Hastings Fraser (1865)
"... Bidur—His extravagant Demands—Indignation of the Nizam—The English Government refuse the Guarantee requested by the Prince— machiavellian Policy of the ..."

7. Historical Pictures of the Middle Ages, in Black and White: Made on the Spot by Alicia Moore, Wandering artist (1854)
"It has indeed been the received, but machiavellian opinion, that all stratagems are fair in war; and if ever this pernicious maxim can be admitted, ..."

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