benighted

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/ UK /bɪˈnaɪtɪd/ See IPA manual

Freq #64870

Meanings

1

adj
ignorant, unenlightened, or lacking cultural knowledge, often used disparagingly

The reformer condemned what he called the benighted customs of the age.
2

adj
overtaken by night before reaching a destination

The benighted travelers sought shelter in an empty barn.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · ignorant, unenlightened, or... ignorant unenlightened backward

2 adj · overtaken by night before... nightedstranded after dark

Opposites

enlightened informed

Word family

Derived forms benightedlybenightednessunbenighted

Related forms benightnighted

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

benighted country
a nation described disparagingly as ignorant or culturally unenlightened

Adjective + noun

Etymology

The past participle of benight, from be- + night. Its original sense was "overtaken by darkness"; the figurative sense treats ignorance as intellectual or spiritual darkness.

Topics

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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