Faustian

[ fou-stee-uhn ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Faust:

   a Faustian novel.

2. sacrificing spiritual values for power, knowledge, or material gain:

   a Faustian pact with the Devil.

3. characterized by spiritual dissatisfaction or torment.
4. possessed with a hunger for knowledge or mastery.

ˈFaustian

/ ˈfaʊstɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Faust, esp reminiscent of his bargain with the devil

Word History and Origins

Origin of Faustian¹

First recorded in 1875–80; Faust + -ian

Example Sentences

Bain Capital partner Edward Conard struck a Faustian pact with the publicity Devil.

From The Daily Beast

Faustus is likely derived from Hephaestus—a Faustian struggle is between good and evil.

From The Daily Beast

All this can be traced to a Faustian bargain Republicans made precisely 100 years after President Lincoln was re-elected.

From The Daily Beast

But yanked into the national spotlight by hidden cameras, it brought him a Faustian opportunity.

From The Daily Beast

Let's get Faustian about this and raise the tempo, I nearly implored.

From Project Gutenberg

Each transaction in the transient corresponds to a pragmatics that transforms the Faustian promise into an advertising slogan.

From Project Gutenberg