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.

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 Word Forms

• pariahdom noun
• pariahism 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

In exchange, the prosecution alleged Sarkozy promised to help Gaddafi combat his reputation as a pariah with Western countries.

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As Israel begins its ground offensive to occupy Gaza City, defying international and domestic pressure to negotiate a ceasefire with Hamas, it skirts ever closer to becoming a pariah state.

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Others believe more profound change is needed to halt Israel's slide towards pariah status.

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Only they’re not quick enough – a royal arrival forces them to duck under the stairs and hide in the shadows with Mary facing the wall like the pariah she’s instantly become.

Read more on Salon

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he had been treated as a pariah by the United States and Europe.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• leper 
• outsider 
• persona non grata 
• vagabond 

When To Use

What does pariah mean?

A pariah is an outcast or someone who’s despised and avoided.Pariah is often used to refer to a person who is widely shunned for some offense they have committed. It is often used in the phrase social pariah and in the context of politics.Example: Although the defendant was found not guilty, he was still treated like a pariah in his hometown, with formerly close friends now refusing to talk to him.