Machiavellian
Etymology
From Niccolò Machiavelli, the Florentine diplomat whose 1513 treatise "The Prince" argued that a ruler must sometimes lie, break promises, and instill fear to keep power. The book’s frank realism scandalized readers, and his name became a slur for calculated amorality. Many scholars note the adjective is something of a caricature — Machiavelli was analyzing how power actually works, not simply endorsing villainy.
adjective · /mak-ee-uh-VEL-ee-un/
Cunning and unscrupulous in the pursuit of power, willing to use deceit and manipulation to get one’s way.
What it names
Ruthless political craft that treats ethics as optional — the word for someone who calculates, deceives, and manipulates in cold pursuit of an advantage.
Example
Her rise through the company was a machiavellian masterclass: quiet alliances, well-timed leaks, and rivals who never saw it coming.
Related idea
Cunning describes cleverness in getting what you want; machiavellian adds a specifically political ruthlessness and a readiness to discard scruples entirely.