What does "manichaean" mean?
A follower of Manichaeism.
Manichaean
/ˌmænɪˈkiːən/ adj, noun
adj, noun ·Uncommon ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A follower of Manichaeism.
- Grammar: manichaean is listed as adj, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: dualistic, apocryphal, believer, binary.
- Useful contrasts: ambivalent figure, complex, complex thinker.
- Usage evidence: Through them passed not only the traders of the Silk Route[…] but also lone Buddhist monks carrying precious cargoes of scrolls in their backpacks, white-robed Manichean sages from Iran and austere Nestorian clerics who founded Christian monasteries even in remote Tibet.
How to use "manichaean"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "manichaean" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "manichaean" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "manichaean" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
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3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
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When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A follower of Manichaeism.
- 2 an adherent of Manichaeism wordnet
Adjective
- 1 Of or relating to Manichaeism. not-comparable
"Through them passed not only the traders of the Silk Route[…] but also lone Buddhist monks carrying precious cargoes of scrolls in their backpacks, white-robed Manichean sages from Iran and austere Nestorian clerics who founded Christian monasteries even in remote Tibet."
- 2 Of or concerning a Manichaean. not-comparable
- 3 Of or relating to a worldview of distinct good and evil, especially to the exclusion of other possible categories. broadly, not-comparable
"Detractors of Mr. Nixon will decry the book's [1999: Victory Without War] obsession with potency and winning[…] as well as with a Manichaean view of a world that he sees as divided between the bad Soviet Union and the good United States."
- 4 Using light and dark to represent good and evil. broadly, not-comparable
Adjective
- 1 of or relating to Manichaeism wordnet
- 2 of or relating to the philosophical doctrine of dualism wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Through them passed not only the traders of the Silk Route[…] but also lone Buddhist monks carrying precious cargoes of scrolls in their backpacks, white-robed Manichean sages from Iran and austere Nestorian clerics who founded Christian monasteries even in remote Tibet."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "manichaean"?
Common synonyms include: dualistic, apocryphal, believer, binary, binary thinker, black and white figure.
How do you use "manichaean" in a sentence?
Through them passed not only the traders of the Silk Route[…] but also lone Buddhist monks carrying precious cargoes of scrolls in their backpacks, white-robed Manichean sages from Iran and austere Nestorian clerics who founded Christian monasteries even in remote Tibet.
How do you pronounce "manichaean"?
Pronounced /ˌmænɪˈkiːən/.
Etymology
From Manichaeus + -an.