Machiavellian
adj. /ˌmækiəˈvɛliən/ (میکِیَویلِیَن)Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or gaining power.
Machiavellian Meaning in Urdu
In everyday Urdu, Machiavellian describes someone who uses cunning, even dishonest, methods to gain or hold power.
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1
Cunning and unscrupulous in pursuing powerچالباز، مکارانہ
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2
Willing to use deception for political or personal gainسیاسی فائدے کے لیے دھوکہ دہی پر آمادہ
Derived from the historical figure Niccolò Machiavelli, this word always implies calculated, amoral cunning, especially in gaining or keeping power.
Word Details
| Word | Machiavellian |
| Part of Speech | Adjective |
| CEFR Level | C1 |
| Difficulty | Ielts |
| Urdu Meaning | چالباز، مکارانہ |
| English Meaning | Cunning and unscrupulous, especially in seeking power |
| Pronunciation | /ˌmækiəˈvɛliən/ |
| Word Type | Formal, negative adjective |
| Commonness | Common in political and business writing |
Pronunciation
Simple English Explanation
Use “Machiavellian” for someone who uses calculated, sometimes dishonest strategies to gain or maintain power — a Machiavellian politician who manipulates rivals to secure votes.
اردو وضاحت
“Machiavellian” اس شخص کے لیے استعمال ہوتا ہے جو اقتدار حاصل کرنے یا برقرار رکھنے کے لیے چالبازی اور دھوکہ دہی کا سہارا لے۔
Example Sentences
Synonyms
Nuance: “Manipulative” is broader and applies to any personal context; “Machiavellian” specifically implies calculated political-style cunning, willing to sacrifice ethics for power or strategic advantage.
Antonyms
Common Collocations
Word Family
| Form | Word |
|---|---|
| Adjective | Machiavellian |
| Noun | Machiavellianism |
| Adverb | Machiavellianly (rare) |
There is no standard verb form of “Machiavellian” in modern English.
Machiavellian vs Manipulative
“Manipulative” describes controlling people’s behaviour or perceptions for personal gain in any context, personal or professional.
“Machiavellian” specifically implies political-style cunning and a willingness to abandon morality for power, echoing the historical political theory the word is named after.
Common Mistakes
IELTS Usage
Writing: Useful in Task 2 essays about politics, leadership, or ethics in power.
Speaking: Can describe political figures or workplace politics in Part 3.
Example: “Some historians argue that Machiavellian tactics are sometimes necessary for political survival.”
MDCAT / Academic Usage
Appears in political science and history passages discussing Machiavelli’s “The Prince” and its influence on political theory.
Word Origin / Etymology
Named after Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), Italian Renaissance political philosopher, author of “The Prince,” which advocated pragmatic, sometimes ruthless political strategy.
Memory Tip
Think of “The Prince” — Machiavelli’s book about gaining and keeping power by any means necessary.
Mini Quiz
1. Meaning of “Machiavellian”:
2. Correct sentence:
3. Antonym of “Machiavellian”:
4. The word is named after:
5. Machiavelli’s famous political work is:
Score: 0 / 5
FAQs
What is the meaning of Machiavellian in Urdu?
Machiavellian means چالباز، مکارانہ — cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or gaining power.
Is Machiavellian a noun, verb, or adjective?
Adjective; the noun form is Machiavellianism.
What are the synonyms of Machiavellian?
Cunning, scheming, manipulative, and calculating — with nuance explained above.
Where does the word Machiavellian come from?
It is named after Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian Renaissance philosopher who wrote “The Prince.”
Is Machiavellian useful for IELTS?
Yes, especially in essays about politics, leadership, or ethics in power, as shown in the IELTS Usage section above.