Faustian
adjective
Faust·ian
ˈfau̇-stē-ən 
ˈfȯ-
ˈfȯ-
: of, relating to, resembling, or suggesting Faust
especially
: made or done for present gain without regard for future cost or consequences
a Faustian bargain
Examples of Faustian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Travis Scott is emblematic of the Faustian bargain one makes when weaving themselves and their art too deeply with capitalism.
—
Hazlitt, 23 Aug. 2023
Local politicians eagerly joined this Faustian bargain with developers.
—WSJ, 1 July 2023
In 2018, Ro Khanna, a Democrat Representative in California who was evidently conversant with Blackstone’s rhetoric, spoke pointedly to the Faustian bargain that workers–usually unwittingly–often make with firms like Blackstone when their savings are invested by them.
—Brett Christophers, Time, 23 June 2023
To lead the House chamber, McCarthy struck a deal with the devil (or a score of them), a Faustian bargain that is essentially a power-sharing agreement with the Republican Party’s most radical House members.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 22 June 2023
This Faustian bargain is the equivalent of taxpayers picking up the tab for up to 74 cents of every dollar a donor deems charitable, while the other 26 cents often remain dormant.
—Kat Taylor, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2021
Now the party leaders, who one by one have made a Faustian deal with the man in the pink castle, are doing his dirty work — helping Trump wreak vengeance.
—Frida Ghitis, CNN, 14 May 2021
The big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical put a Faustian spin on diamond high jinks.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2023
Which brings us to Bedazzled, Harold Ramis’s 2000 remake of Stanley Donen’s 1967 movie about a man (Dudley Moore) who makes a Faustian bargain with the devil (Peter Cook).
—Vulture, 29 Dec. 2022
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Hazlitt, 23 Aug. 2023
Local politicians eagerly joined this Faustian bargain with developers.
—WSJ, 1 July 2023
In 2018, Ro Khanna, a Democrat Representative in California who was evidently conversant with Blackstone’s rhetoric, spoke pointedly to the Faustian bargain that workers–usually unwittingly–often make with firms like Blackstone when their savings are invested by them.
—Brett Christophers, Time, 23 June 2023
To lead the House chamber, McCarthy struck a deal with the devil (or a score of them), a Faustian bargain that is essentially a power-sharing agreement with the Republican Party’s most radical House members.
—Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 22 June 2023
This Faustian bargain is the equivalent of taxpayers picking up the tab for up to 74 cents of every dollar a donor deems charitable, while the other 26 cents often remain dormant.
—Kat Taylor, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2021
Now the party leaders, who one by one have made a Faustian deal with the man in the pink castle, are doing his dirty work — helping Trump wreak vengeance.
—Frida Ghitis, CNN, 14 May 2021
The big-screen adaptation of the Broadway musical put a Faustian spin on diamond high jinks.
—Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2023
Which brings us to Bedazzled, Harold Ramis’s 2000 remake of Stanley Donen’s 1967 movie about a man (Dudley Moore) who makes a Faustian bargain with the devil (Peter Cook).
—Vulture, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Faustian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1876, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near Faustian
Cite this Entry
“Faustian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Faustian. Accessed 22 Sep. 2023.
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