Svengali

noun

Sven·​ga·​li sven-ˈgä-lē 

sfen-

: a person who manipulates or exerts excessive control over another

Did you know?

In George du Maurier's 1894 novel Trilby, a young artist's model named Trilby O'Ferrall falls under the spell of Svengali, a villainous musician and hypnotist. Svengali trains Trilby's voice through hypnosis and transforms her into a singing star, subjugating her completely in the process. Svengali's maleficent powers of persuasion made such an impression on the reading public that by 1919 his name was being used generically as a term for any wickedly manipulative individual.

Examples of Svengali in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That's not journalism, that’s a Svengali in Wolff’s clothing. — Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025

But this prison sentence should serve as a clear deterrent for any future political Svengali wanting to follow in Madigan’s footsteps. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

Starmer’s speech was reportedly crafted by Morgan McSweeney, the notorious Downing Street political Svengali. — The Editors, National Review, 17 May 2025

The lingering girl-group stereotype of Svengali producers controlling naive singers was not for them. — The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 May 2025

Barrymore’s turn in the lead role is itself a feat of silver-screen mesmerism, portraying Svengali as a cruel yet magnetic figure who wields his own charisma as an instrument of terrible power. — Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

Morvan continued on his own, struggling to shake the stigma of Milli Vanilli, while the Svengali behind the project, Frank Farian, emerged practically unscathed. — Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Svengali, villainous hypnotist in the novel Trilby (1894) by George du Maurier

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Svengali

• akali
• bengali
• diwali
• loblolly
• naphtali
• nepali
• secale
• somali
• colley
• collie
• dolly
• folly

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