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

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

Within these still-Nashville-conditioned idioms, unlike Swift or Beyoncé, Maines succumbs to Manichean opposites of good vs. evil only when she needs to purge.

From Slate • Jul. 17, 2020

“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

If some other man arose today or tomorrow and forbade meats, would it not apply to him, even if he were no Manichean?

From Works of Martin Luther With Introductions and Notes (Volume II) by Luther, Martin