Svengali: Difference between revisions
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'''Svengali''' (plural '''Svengalis''') | '''Svengali''' (plural '''Svengalis''') | ||
One who [ | One who [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/manipulate manipulates] or [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/control controls] another as by some [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mesmeric mesmeric] or [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sinister sinister] [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/influence influence]. | ||
#* ''The young performer’s career was shaped by a Svengali who dictated every move behind the scenes.'' | #* ''The young performer’s career was shaped by a Svengali who dictated every move behind the scenes.'' | ||
(by extension) A [ | (by extension) A [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/coach coach], [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mentor mentor], or industry [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/mogul mogul] who exerts strong, often controlling influence over another’s success or public image. | ||
#* ''He became a Svengali figure in the startup world, guiding founders while quietly steering their decisions.'' | #* ''He became a Svengali figure in the startup world, guiding founders while quietly steering their decisions.'' | ||
Revision as of 03:54, 8 April 2026
English
Etymology
Named after the character [Svengali] in [Trilby] (1894) by [George du Maurier], a hypnotist who exerts manipulative control over others.
Transliteration Pronunciation
- Hangul: 스벤갈리
- Katakana: スベンガリー
- Zhuyin: ㄙㄨㄟ ㄅㄣ ㄍㄚ ㄌㄧ
Noun
Svengali (plural Svengalis)
One who manipulates or controls another as by some mesmeric or sinister influence.
- The young performer’s career was shaped by a Svengali who dictated every move behind the scenes.
(by extension) A coach, mentor, or industry mogul who exerts strong, often controlling influence over another’s success or public image.
- He became a Svengali figure in the startup world, guiding founders while quietly steering their decisions.
Usage notes
Typically carries a negative connotation, implying manipulation, domination, or undue influence. Occasionally used more neutrally to describe a powerful or highly involved mentor.
See also
manipulator puppet master éminence grise power broker kingmaker string-puller gaslighter
Further reading
[Svengali — Wikipedia] [Trilby (novel) — Wikipedia]