machiavelli
/ˌmækiəˈvɛli/
noun
- A person who is cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or business, named after the Italian political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli.
- The CEO was a real Machiavelli, manipulating his rivals to get ahead.
- In the novel, the villain is a Machiavelli who will do anything for power.
- Some people see the politician as a modern Machiavelli, using deceit to win elections.
Synonyms