Benighted

/bɪˈnaɪtɪd/ · adjective

Meaning

(obsolete or poetic) Overtaken by night; especially of a traveller, etc.: caught out by oncoming night before reaching one's destination..

Definitions by Sense

1. (obsolete or poetic) Overtaken by night; especially of a traveller, etc.: caught out by oncoming night before reaching one's destination.
2. (obsolete) Plunged into darkness.
3. (figuratively) Lacking education or knowledge; unenlightened; also, lacking morality; immoral, unscrupulous.
4. (figuratively, obsolete) Difficult to understand; abstruse, obscure.
5. simple past and past participle of benight

Example Sentences

I recollect well losing the goodwill of my old grandmother by allowing a benighted wagoner to light his lantern while her back was turned, […]

The Porter anſwered, This Man is in a Journey from the City of Deſtruction to Mount Zion, but being weary, and benighted, he asked me if he might lodge here to night; ſo I told him I would call for thee, who after diſcourſe had with him, mayeſt do as ſeemeth thee good, even according to the Law of the Houſe.

The Moon (that roves like thee) ſhou'd fail, / The Stars benighted prove, / The Sun (that burns like me) ſhou'd ceaſe / To ſhine, ere thou to love?

Where art thou, poor benighted Traveller! / The Stars will light thee; tho' the Moon ſhould fail. / Where art Thou, more benighted! more aſtray! / In Ways immoral? The Stars call thee back; / And, if obey'd their Counſel, ſet thee right.

Slighting the petty need he showed, / He told of his benighted road; [...]

To that god-trodden western shore, as flit benighted birds.

And lonely as it is, that loneliness / Will be more lonely ere it will be less – / A blanker whiteness of benighted snow / With no expression, nothing to express.

“Dearly benighted, we gather here tonight to join these two in unholy matrimony.”

Synonyms for benighted

Antonyms for benighted

Related Words

Word Forms

• more benighted
• most benighted

Usage Notes

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