benighted

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s more like an existential dilemma, both for our bewildered and benighted country and for the world.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

A young woman from an island community on the brink of extinction sets out on an odyssey across the vastness of the Pacific, hoping to save the people of her benighted home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 15, 2025

The reference is to that benighted state’s surprising success in improving reading scores for its fourth-graders through a focused program of literacy instruction for teachers and pupils alike.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 3, 2023

As Winkler repeatedly shows, they — and Oxfordians in particular — tend to see themselves as evangelicals on a mission, tirelessly spreading their persecuted gospel to benighted unbelievers.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2023

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

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver