benighted

American  

[bih-nahy-tid] / bɪˈnaɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. intellectually or morally ignorant; unenlightened.

   benighted ages of barbarism and superstition.

   Synonyms:

   uncultivated, crude, primitive, backward

2. overtaken by darkness or night.

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benighted British  

/ bɪˈnaɪtɪd /

adjective

1. lacking cultural, moral, or intellectual enlightenment; ignorant

2. archaic overtaken by night

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Other Word Forms

• benightedly adverb
• benightedness noun

Etymology

Origin of benighted

First recorded in 1565–75; be- + night + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Said Sullivan, “It soon became noticeable that he was progressively and grossly apologizing to the Eastern men for the presence of their benighted brethren of the West.”

From Literature

Nelson, as usual, was the one who finally took pity upon our benighted stupidity and told us what was up: kukwela.

From Literature

There were good people on this benighted world, the star decided, warmed and contented.

From Literature

He was, she thought, like a cursed temple, still beautiful to look at—the shell of something sacred—but benighted within, and none but ghosts could ever cross the threshold.

From Literature

He believed as firmly as Arthur did, as firmly as the benighted Christian, that there was such a thing as Right Finally, there was the impediment of his nature.

From Literature