Manichean

American  

[man-i-kee-uhn] / ˌmæn ɪˈki ən /

Or Manichaean

noun

1. Also Manichee an adherent of the dualistic religious system of Manes, a combination of Gnostic Christianity, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and various other elements, with a basic doctrine of a conflict between light and dark, matter being regarded as dark and evil.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the Manicheans or their doctrines.

Other Word Forms

• Manicheanism
  noun
• Manicheism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Manichean

1300–50; Middle English Maniche (< Late Latin Manichaeus < Late Greek Manichaîos of Manes) + -an

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Manichean

A strength of “Bird School” is the author’s appreciation of paradox not as a Manichean struggle but as a condition of life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 5, 2025

And that escalation comes amid growing global instability contributing to a Manichean world of antagonistic armed blocs, reminiscent of the Cold War at its worst.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2025

“You always impress, but this one took the cake: ‘there are a LOT of reasons why American politics today has become the Manichean slag heap it has.’

From Fox News ● Jun. 8, 2020

But Gerwig seems to be trying to explore something less Manichean than personal fulfilment versus subjugation.

From The Guardian ● Dec. 7, 2019

I will only add, in order to obviate cavilling, that I use the word Albigenses for the Manichean sects, without pretending to assert that their doctrines prevailed more in the neighbourhood of Albi than elsewhere.

From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Henry Hallam