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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.

The first records of pariah in English come from the early 1600s. It comes from �貹ṟa���ⲹ��, a word that means “drummer” in Tamil (one of the many Indian languages spoken across the country). The Paraiyans were members of a group considered very low in the Indian caste system. They served as ceremonial drummers and later as laborers. Eventually, pariah started to be used in English more generally to refer to the members of any caste offensively labeled untouchables. By the 1800s, it had come to refer to any person shunned by society—an “outcast.”

Today, a pariah is someone who is treated as an outcast, especially after having been formerly in a position of favor—they have been cast out of their group. Usually this is because they have done something viewed as unacceptable, such as committing a crime, but this is not always the case. Some people are unfairly treated as pariahs because other people are uncomfortable around them for some reason, such as an illness. Still, pariahs are always the subject of avoidance. A social pariah is someone who is now avoided by everyone, especially their peers, perhaps because of a betrayal or an unpopular opinion or belief. In politics, a politician might be labeled as a pariah if their former allies distance themselves from them to avoid association with some scandal.

What are some other forms related to pariah?

• pariahdom (noun)
• pariahism (noun)

What are some synonyms for pariah?

• outcast
• persona non grata

What are some words that share a root or word element with pariah?��

• pariah dog

What are some words that often get used in discussing pariah?

• shun
• avoid
• taboo
• untouchable
• leper
• exile

Pariah is often used to refer to someone who was once popular and is now avoided, perhaps even despised.

I hope y’all are remembering to invite grief stricken friends to do friend things still. Even if they cancel last minute. There are a lot of “friends” I’ve heard little from since late November and many I haven’t seen. Don’t treat us like pariahs. We’re hurting.

— Cindy Pika Chu (@iamcindychu)

Me in my 20s: I might not come to your party, but I at least want to be invited.

Me in my 30s: Don't even ask me. Just let me be a social pariah in peace.

— Ramblin Mama (@ramblinma)

This may make me a pariah, but I’m past caring, TBH.

While I might appreciate someone’s talents, I no longer consider myself a “fan” of anyone. There are more important and deserving people to spend my time and resources on, and that includes me.

Peace and love to all y’all. ❤️

— JeannieSays (@_JeannieSays_)

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True or False?

A pariah has always done something to deserve such a status.