wheeler-dealer

noun

wheel·​er-deal·​er ˌ(h)wē-lər-ˈdē-lər How to pronounce wheeler-dealer (audio)
variants also wheeler and dealer
Synonyms of wheeler-dealernext
: a shrewd operator especially in business or politics

Examples of wheeler-dealer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Nelson is a Willy Loman, a failing wheeler-dealer and big talker with no game to back him up. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025 Bordeaux’s rise was fuelled by Claude Bez, a wheeler-dealer who ran an accounting firm. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 John Richard Simplot was a real wheeler-dealer, one of the last of the old-school American entrepreneurs. — Dana Oland, Idaho Statesman, 1 Apr. 2025 That’s the punch line of an old joke about a wheeler-dealer offering something attractive — on the condition the offeree sell their soul to the devil. — Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for wheeler-dealer

Word History

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wheeler-dealer was in 1954

Rhymes for wheeler-dealer

See All Rhymes for wheeler-dealer

Browse Nearby Words

wheeler and dealer
wheeler-dealer
Wheeler Peak
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wheeler-dealer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheeler-dealer. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on wheeler-dealer

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wheeler-dealer

Nglish: Translation of wheeler-dealer for Spanish Speakers

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