English

Alternative forms

• machiavellian

Adjective

Machiavellian ‎(comparative more Machiavellian, superlative most Machiavellian)

1. Attempting to achieve goals by cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous methods, especially in politics or in advancing one's career.

   Iago is the Machiavellian antagonist in William Shakespeare's play, Othello.

2. Related to the philosophical system of Niccolò Machiavelli.
   • 2006, Mark Vernon, Philosophy and Life, "Plato or Machiavelli",

     It is Machiavellian, in the sense that it revolves around the question of how to maintain power.

Derived terms

• Machiavellianism
• Machiavellism

Translations

Noun

Machiavellian ‎(plural Machiavellians)

1. A ruthless schemer.

English

Adjective

machiavellian ‎(comparative more machiavellian, superlative most machiavellian)

1. Alternative form of Machiavellian