unenlightened

adjective

Definition of unenlightenednext
as in benighted

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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
  1. benighted
  2. idiotic
  3. unintelligent
  4. uneducated
  5. ignorant
  6. moronic
  7. dumb
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
  • 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
  • That’s been an idiotic trope for too long — that participating in the business side of it taints you.
    — Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Definition of idiotic
Adjective
  • The lesson was not that the models were unintelligent.
    — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
  • More and more people are avoiding dating or befriending those with opposing political views, and growing numbers describe those on the other side as closed-minded, dishonest, immoral and unintelligent.
    — Justin Callais, Twin Cities, 5 Mar. 2026
Definition of unintelligent
Adjective
  • 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
  • The hillbilly is portrayed as ignorant, uneducated, and unsophisticated; they are often depicted as being unkempt in appearance, perhaps noticeably dirty or walking around barefoot.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 June 2026
Definition of uneducated
Adjective
  • Any advice on how to tune out ignorant neighbors who refuse to shut up?
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 15 July 2026
  • There’s a difference between being educated and being ignorant.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 2026
Definition of ignorant
Adjective
  • 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
  • Garrincha was characterised as childish and moronic in psychological tests commissioned by the Brazilian federation before that tournament in Sweden and was then left out of their first two games.
    — Jack Lang, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Definition of moronic
Adjective
  • What used to be a forum for original, quirky, clever remarks by the Daily News’ varied community of smartypants has turned into a gridlock of repetitious venting of old, dumb blah.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 10 July 2026
  • How to make an iPhone a 'dumb phone' To simplify an iPhone, users should engage Assistive Access, an iOS feature intended for users with cognitive disabilities.
    — Greta Cross, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Definition of dumb

Browse Nearby Words

unendurable
unenlightened
unenlightening
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unenlightened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unenlightened. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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