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View synonyms for pariah

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

/ pəˈraɪə; ˈpærɪə /

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 .


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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 .

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Other Words From

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

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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”

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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

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Example Sentences

He nonetheless found himself something of a pariah, and when he was unable to find a job, he sold fish in the street.

He, too, is a pariah in Pakistan, rarely acknowledged and never claimed as the “pride” of the nation.

Certainly the bitcoin community continues to treat Karpeles as a pariah.

If passed, the draft legislation would essentially make Moscow a pariah economy.

President Obama is reportedly set on making Russia “a pariah state.”

A roar came from the populace; an elephant trumpeted; the pariah dogs barked.

Then the pariah realises that she is thrust beyond the pale of human purity.

He was a pariah, a leper, and so must continue—a thing to be shunned.

He considered that he was a natural pariah; that the unpopularity at school would follow him through life.

The human order hostile, he quickly loses his self-respect and drops to the pariah class.

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Pariapariah dog