pariah

[ puh-rahy-uh ]

noun

1. an outcast.
2. any person or animal that is generally despised or avoided.
3. none Pariah. a member of a low caste in southern India and Myanmar (Burma).

pariah

/ ˈpærɪə; pəˈraɪə /

noun

1. a social outcast
2. (formerly) a member of a low caste in South India

pariah

1. An outcast; a member of a low caste or class .

Notes

The word originally stems from the caste system of India, which put pariahs in a very low place in society. In the United States, it refers to those of low social class or social status .

Other Words From

• pa·riah·dom noun
• pa·riah·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pariah¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Tamil paṟaiyar, plural of paṟaiyan literally, “drummer” (from a hereditary duty of the caste), derivative of paṟai “festival drum”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pariah¹

C17: from Tamil paraiyan drummer, from parai drum; so called because members of the caste were the drummers at festivals

Example Sentences

Lukashenko has been an international pariah for many years, with the European Union condemning the 2020 election results as "falsified".

From BBC

The crown prince has never forgiven or forgotten Biden saying that Saudi Arabia needed to be made a pariah for its attitude to human rights.

From BBC

Stewart said that “winning message” ultimately led to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and the lesson from that — as the pundits framed it at the time — was Trump would be departing the White House as a “pariah” and never be allowed to step foot in the Capitol again.

From Los Angeles Times

Since then, he has been the target of two failed recall attempts and found himself a pariah among his own prosecutors: More than 20 of them have sued him, alleging they were demoted or otherwise retaliated against for challenging his policies.

From Los Angeles Times

This is the story of a guilt-ridden high school English teacher, who after her role in the suicide of her gay husband, has become a sexual pariah.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• leper
• outsider
• persona non grata
• vagabond