Benighted
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Benighted is an adjective meaning (figuratively) Lacking education or knowledge; unenlightened; also, lacking morality; immoral, unscrupulous.
Meaning
(figuratively) Lacking education or knowledge; unenlightened; also, lacking morality; immoral, unscrupulous.
More Meanings
- (figuratively, obsolete) Difficult to understand; abstruse, obscure.
- simple past and past participle of benight
- (obsolete or poetic) Overtaken by night; especially of a traveller, etc.: caught out by oncoming night before reaching one's destination.
- (obsolete) Plunged into darkness.
Example Sentences
To that god-trodden western shore, as flit benighted birds.
Slighting the petty need he showed, / He told of his benighted road; [...]
“Dearly benighted, we gather here tonight to join these two in unholy matrimony.”
I recollect well losing the goodwill of my old grandmother by allowing a benighted wagoner to light his lantern while her back was turned, […]
Synonyms for benighted
Depending on context, synonyms include dark, unenlightened.
Antonyms for benighted
Common opposites include unbenighted.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include unenlightened, dark, ignorant, unaware, uninformed, night-blind.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.