wheeler-dealer
noun
wheel·er-deal·er
ˌ(h)wē-lər-ˈdē-lər 
: a shrewd operator especially in business or politics
Examples of wheeler-dealer in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Imagine what a shrewd, wheeler-dealer type could do with the Pirates.
—
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The picture these witnesses painted of Combs gels with previous depictions of the rap mogul as a hot-blooded, win-at-all-costs wheeler-dealer, which until now had lived mostly in the realm of rumor.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 3 July 2025
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
Roseman, grounded in salary cap machinations, negotiations and analytics, is a wheeler-dealer deluxe.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025
Michele Jackson More than six decades ago, New Yorker writer John Bainbridge spent nine months in the newly wealthy, fast-growing state of Texas, studying and schmoozing with its wheeler-dealers, oilmen, and bankers.
—The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2024
Delon was perfectly cast as a wheeler-dealer stockbroker who becomes involved with Vitti’s character but is unwilling and unable to satisfy her emotional needs.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 18 Aug. 2024
Indeed, her self-branding as a wheeler-dealer is yet another step in her savvy journey up the industry ladder.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
The Dutchman as exploitative wheeler-dealer David and Christopher Alden, twins, have made parallel careers as controversial stage directors.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023
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.
Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The picture these witnesses painted of Combs gels with previous depictions of the rap mogul as a hot-blooded, win-at-all-costs wheeler-dealer, which until now had lived mostly in the realm of rumor.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 3 July 2025
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
Roseman, grounded in salary cap machinations, negotiations and analytics, is a wheeler-dealer deluxe.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Feb. 2025
Michele Jackson More than six decades ago, New Yorker writer John Bainbridge spent nine months in the newly wealthy, fast-growing state of Texas, studying and schmoozing with its wheeler-dealers, oilmen, and bankers.
—The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2024
Delon was perfectly cast as a wheeler-dealer stockbroker who becomes involved with Vitti’s character but is unwilling and unable to satisfy her emotional needs.
—Carmel Dagan, Variety, 18 Aug. 2024
Indeed, her self-branding as a wheeler-dealer is yet another step in her savvy journey up the industry ladder.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
The Dutchman as exploitative wheeler-dealer David and Christopher Alden, twins, have made parallel careers as controversial stage directors.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 8 Aug. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Wheeler-dealer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wheeler-dealer. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share