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

Ever since it began, the environmental movement has used the weighty issue of whaling as a Manichean struggle of good and evil.

From The Guardian ● Jul. 13, 2018

The acts of the inquisition of Toulouse, published by Limborch, from an ancient manuscript, contain many additional proofs that the Albigenses held the Manichean doctrine.

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