Machiavellian

adjective

ˌma-kē-ə-ˈve-lē-ən How to pronounce Machiavellian (audio)
Definition of Machiavelliannext
as in immoral
not guided by or showing a concern for what is right yet another tale of a power-mad dictator with a Machiavellian plan to take over the world

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Machiavellian
  1. immoral
  2. ruthless
  3. corrupt
  4. unscrupulous
  5. unprincipled
Adjective
  • Hollywood called out as immoral as studio puts paying viewers in charge of the screen.
    — , FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Convince people that an innocent person represents an existential threat, furnish them with a frightening conspiracy theory about an immoral enemy, and some may become willing to kill.
    — Maxwell Adler, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of immoral
Adjective
  • Why would Trump choose to support Putin in his ruthless efforts in Ukraine?
    — Tom Jurkowsky, Baltimore Sun, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The stump itself won’t damage buried water lines, per se, but the roots can be ruthless with pipes.
    — Steven John, Architectural Digest, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of ruthless
Adjective
  • Many progressives, led by Bernie Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, also believe that a global oligarchy poses a threat to democracy and see big business in defense, technology, and finance as part of a corrupt system.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Donalds is just another gear in the Republican engine that is beholden to the wealthy the powerful and the corrupt — all at the expense of working-class Floridians.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of corrupt
Adjective
  • Some agents joined the unscrupulous agent and formed a sub-colony of cheaters.
    — Noah Giansiracusa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The district judge confined Biddy and most of the Black children in the county jail, ostensibly for their own protection from their unscrupulous enslaver.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unscrupulous
Adjective
  • His vote is of no more worth than that of any unprincipled foreigner or hireling native, who may have been bought.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • To avoid being a mark for unprincipled lenders, borrowers shouldn’t rush into refinancing without considering all their choices.
    — Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of unprincipled
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

machetes
Machiavellian
machinate
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Cite this Entry

“Machiavellian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Machiavellian. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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