pariah

[puh-rahy-uh]

pariah Definition

• 1. an outcast
• 2. any person or animal that is generally despised or avoided

Using pariah: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pariah" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  After the scandal, he became a social pariah.

• Example

  The stray dog was treated like a pariah by the community.

• Example

  In some cultures, people with disabilities are seen as pariahs.

• Example

  The unpopular student felt like a pariah among his peers.

pariah Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pariah

• outcast
• untouchable
• reject
• castaway
• leper

Antonyms for pariah

• popular
• beloved

Idioms Using pariah

• treat someone like a pariah

  to treat someone as if they are an outcast or unwelcome

  Example

  After the scandal, the media treated him like a pariah, constantly hounding him for interviews and comments.

• pariah dog

  a type of dog found in India and other parts of South Asia that is not owned by anyone and lives on the streets

  Example

  The pariah dogs in Mumbai are known for their resilience and ability to survive in harsh conditions.

• pariah state

  a country or government that is shunned by other countries or governments for political, economic, or social reasons

  Example

  North Korea is often referred to as a pariah state due to its isolationist policies and human rights abuses.

Phrases with pariah

• political pariah

  a country or government that is shunned by other countries or governments for political reasons

  Example

  After the coup, the country became a political pariah and faced economic sanctions from other nations.

• social pariah

  a person who is rejected by society or a social group

  Example

  The convicted criminal became a social pariah and was avoided by everyone in the neighborhood.

• economic pariah

  a country or government that is shunned by other countries or governments for economic reasons

  Example

  The country's poor human rights record made it an economic pariah, with many companies refusing to do business with them.

Origins of pariah

from Tamil 'paraiyar', meaning 'drummer'

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Summary: pariah in Brief

The term 'pariah' [puh-rahy-uh] refers to a person or animal that is generally despised or avoided. It can be used to describe someone who is rejected by society or a social group, such as a convicted criminal or an unpopular student. 'Pariah' can also refer to a country or government that is shunned by others for political, economic, or social reasons, as in 'North Korea is often referred to as a pariah state.'