UNENLIGHTENED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

unenlightened

adjective

Definition of unenlightened

as in benighted

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unenlightened Instead of transitioning these communities into new industries or providing them with the tools to adapt, our legislators have chosen to obscure coal and its workers, treating them as relics of a bygone, unenlightened and even primitive era. — Daniel A.c. McBride, Baltimore Sun, 1 June 2025 Dirty work is often assumed to be unenlightened work, but wildland firefighters have a unique empirical understanding of natural forces. — M. R. O’Connor, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 Some are downright funky in their retro prejudices, others more quaintly unenlightened. — Lauren Bravo, refinery29.com, 3 Jan. 2024 Wilson, therefore, was not introducing the ideas of world order and human rights to a collection of previously anarchic states and unenlightened polities. — Walter Russell Mead, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020 See All Example Sentences for unenlightened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unenlightened

Adjective

But this time there would be no panel from the National Endowment of the Arts sifting through the applications, no oversight from cultural officials and benighted curators—the usual process.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 8 May 2026
Repeal the benighted Jones Act, which raises energy and shipping costs.

— Editorial, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

Definition of benighted

Adjective

To Tommy, Anna and Molly are twittering encumbrances, idiotic in their insistence on good works and the good of man, their endless remorseful hedgings about the Communist Party.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
Butlers are kicked in the shins and told their children are ugly; a patriarch’s idiotic military decisions are venerated for their spirit; blood spilling out of a servant’s wound is more an issue for the rug.

— Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026

Definition of idiotic

Adjective

The Debbie and Thom switch-up Ellis often alludes that Thom (Campbell) is unintelligent in the novel, with Bret telling readers that his best friend isn’t picking up on clues that his girlfriend, Susan, and Robert are romantically involved.

— Entertainment Weekly, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
The contest is not between an intelligent country and an unintelligent one.

— John Sviokla, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Definition of unintelligent

Adjective

But Jewish religious nationalists, particularly uneducated young men, remain a threat, said John Munayer of the Rossing Center for Education and Dialogue, an interreligious organization in Jerusalem.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
The report says there's been progress, but minorities, along with people who are poor and uneducated, still face higher death rates.

— Stephanie Stahl, CBS News, 24 June 2026

Definition of uneducated

Adjective

Mamdani’s ignorant opinion illustrates Kissinger’s concern, relying on emotional display rather than the facts.

— Daniel Kolkey, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2026
Howard Bryant's comparison this week between Cunningham's comments and Colin Kaepernick's protests was both ignorant and desperate.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignorant

Adjective

Because being fooled once is a shame; being fooled twice — that’s moronic.

— Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
And before the perpetually whiny and moronic peanut gallery says that sports teams have special nights all the time, that’s true, but celebrating heritage, or veterans who fought and died for this country is just an eency weency bit different than force-feeding the gay agenda at a ball game!

— Tomi Lahren OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of moronic

Adjective

America’s Semiquincentennial was celebrated across the country this summer with big, dumb, gluttonous fun.

— Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
But the attention on Cunningham’s comments, the contrived outrage over a fictional trans athlete draft and dumb stunts by former NBA players may have helped drive more folks toward watching the league’s games.

— Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of dumb

Browse Nearby Words

unendurable

unenlightened

unenlightening

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Unenlightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unenlightened. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of unenlightened

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes