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Definition of Machiavellian adjective from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

 

Machiavellian

 adjective
adjective
NAmE//ˌmækiəˈvɛliən//
 
(formal) (disapproving)
 
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using intelligent or skillful plans to achieve what you want, without people realizing what you are doing synonym cunning, unscrupulous Machiavellian manipulation From the name of Niccolò Machiavelli, an Italian politician (1469-1527), who explained in his book, The Prince, that it was often necessary for rulers to use immoral methods in order to achieve power and success.
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