Machiavellian

Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics or advancing one's career.

• Machiavellianism/ˌmækiəˈvɛliənɪzəm/(n)权谋主义

• Machiavellian scheme
• Machiavellian tactics
• Machiavellian politician
• Machiavellian plot

1. 1.The CEO's Machiavellian maneuvering eliminated every potential rival from the board. (cunningly manipulative)
2. 2.House of Cards portrays Machiavellian politics at its most ruthless. (scheming, amoral)

• cunning/ˈkʌnɪŋ/— cleverly deceitful
• scheming/ˈskiːmɪŋ/— making secret plans
• devious/ˈdiːviəs/— using dishonest methods

from Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527), Florentine political philosopher whose book "The Prince" advocated pragmatic, sometimes ruthless political strategies