Meaning & Definition of word "Pariah"
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Pariah
/pəˈraɪə/
noun:
- 1. A person who is rejected or ostracized by society or a specific social group.
- Example: After the scandal, he was seen as a pariah in his community.
- 2. A member of a low caste in India, historically considered outside of the traditional caste system.
- Example: In ancient times, the pariahs faced severe discrimination and exclusion.
- 3. Someone who is despised or avoided.
- Example: She felt like a pariah after her unpopular opinion led to a heated argument.
Etymology
From Hindi 'pāriha', originally denoting a 'drummer' or 'outcast'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
social pariah:
A person who is excluded from social acceptance.
cast out like a pariah:
To be rejected completely by society or a group.
Related Words
outcast:
A person who has been rejected by society or a social group.
exile:
A person who is banned from their native country.
untouchable:
A member of a low caste in India, often associated with work deemed impure.
Slang Meanings of pariah
Meaning: A person who is not accepted in mainstream society.
Example Sentence: He's been acting like a total pariah since he got kicked off the team.
Meaning: Someone who feels alienated from social groups.
Example Sentence: Ever since the incident, she's been a pariah among her friends.