Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for Machiavellian
Adjective
  • Basically, how others will judge you for moving on, if you’ll be seen as incompetent or immoral for quitting.
    Vicki Salemi, Boston Herald, 20 July 2025
  • With his opaque history and sources of wealth, his super-powerful friends and his immoral appetites, Epstein became the perfect avatar for our at-home Hollywood heroism.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 19 July 2025
Adjective
  • Son Hee is one half of a ruthless twin assassin duo, working alongside his brother Bacho.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • Her 6-0, 6-0 rout at the hands of a ruthless Iga Świątek was a reminder that no sport is more psychologically brutal than tennis.
    Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025
Adjective
  • After decades when Ukraine was seen as one of the most corrupt countries in the world, cleaning up its government has been held up as the most important condition for Kyiv to join the European Union and integrate more broadly with the West.
    Olena Harmash, USA Today, 23 July 2025
  • Set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales is a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters – an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector – on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Other Pell changes off the table for now An earlier version of Trump’s bill would have allowed Workforce Pell grants to be used at unaccredited training providers, stirring fears that unscrupulous entities might take advantage.
    Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 19 July 2025
  • These traits can manifest themselves in a tendency toward cunning, scheming and, at times, unscrupulous behavior.
    Andrew J. Hoffman, The Conversation, 15 July 2025
Adjective
  • But she's also taken positions that her critics have found inconsistent and unprincipled.
    Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 June 2025
  • The notorious Sackler family, opioid pushers responsible for countless cases of addiction and death, can’t seem to settle their legal problems without turning to some kind of unprincipled maneuver.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
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

Cite this Entry

“Machiavellian.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/Machiavellian. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!