Benighted
/bɪˈnaɪtɪd/adjective
Someone who is uneducated about certain things or is unaware of important facts.
The benighted individuals had no idea what was happening in the world beyond their village.
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Implies a critical view of someone's lack of knowledge or awareness.
In his speech, the leader described his opponents as benighted and out of touch.
Pro Tip 2/3Implicit Judgment
Using 'benighted' suggests the speaker feels superior in knowledge.
She referred to the villagers as benighted, ignoring their rich cultural knowledge.
Pro Tip 3/3Historical Usage
It can imply backwardness, as if stuck in a 'dark age' of knowledge.
The professor remarked on the benighted practices of medieval medicine.
Compare with
backbarbariccivilizedarkenlightengloomyignorantprimitive
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