Tom is a very Machiavellian person.
Source: tatoeba (7794806)
Machiavellian
/ˌmɑk.i.əˈvɛl.i.ən/
Synonyms for "machiavellian" (176 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (36)
actoracuteambidextrousarchartfulartful dodgerastutebamboozlerbefuddlerbeguilerbehind-the-scenes operatorbyzantinecageycalculatingcannycasanovacharmerclevercoconspiratorcollusive
Adjective(3 words)
Strong matches (52)
deceitfuldeceiverdeepdeep-laiddeluderdesigningdiplomatdiplomaticdiplomatistdishonestdissemblerdissimulatordodgerdon juandoubledouble dealerdouble dealingdouble-dealerdouble-dealingdouble-faced
Show 31 more words
Adjective(1 words)
Related words (88)
intriguinginventivejiltjilterjokerjokesterkidderkingmakerknowingleg-pullerlogrollermachiavelmachiavellimachiavellianistmachiavellicmachinatormaneuverermesmerizermisleaderoperator
Show 58 more words
opportunistpawkyperfidiousplagiaristplagiarizerplayactorplotterplottingpoliticpolitical realistpoliticianpork-barrel politicianpower brokerpractical jokerraggerreadyresourcefulrole playerrole-playerschemerschemingseducerserpentinesharpshiftyshrewdslickslipperyslysmoothsnakysneakysophisticalspooferstealthystratagemicalstrategicstrategistsubtilesubtlesuppletacticalteaseteasertreacheroustrickishtricksytrickytwo facedtwo-facedup tovulpinewarywheeler dealerwheeler-dealerwilywire pullerwire-puller
Adjective(10 words)
machiavellian thinkermanipulativemanipulatorpolitical operatorpolitical realistpower brokerpragmaticpragmatic realistschemerscheming
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: actor, acute, advocate of machiavellianism, ambidextrous, arch.
- Sentence evidence is available for machiavellian, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "machiavellian".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "machiavellian"
Keep "machiavellian" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "machiavellian" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "machiavellian", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "machiavellian" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
5 entriesMore specific
9 entriesMachiavellian thinkerMachiavellianistdeceitinfluence peddlermanipulationpolitical operativepower brokerrealpolitikstatecraft realism
Collocations
9 entriesMachiavellian ethicsMachiavellian maneuveringMachiavellian manipulationMachiavellian mindMachiavellian politicsMachiavellian power playMachiavellian realismMachiavellian strategyMachiavellian tactics
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
3 entriesSample sentences
8 total sentences available.
The Algerian banana republic accuses without shame Western countries such as France, Israel and the United States of conspiracy because it is itself conspiracy and Machiavellian. Isn't it said that the evil one sees the evil everywhere?
Source: tatoeba (10489497)
Was Machiavelli really that Machiavellian?
Source: tatoeba (11047899)
Your enemies know machiavellian politics.
Source: tatoeba (11578905)
Showing 4 of 8 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "machiavellian"?
Closest matches include actor, acute, advocate of machiavellianism, ambidextrous, arch.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "machiavellian"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.