pariah
C1Formal / Literary / Figurative
Definition
Meaning
A person who is rejected or despised by their community or society; an outcast.
Used more broadly to describe any person, group, or thing that is treated with disdain, isolation, or intense criticism, often in a social, political, or professional context.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a strong connotation of social exclusion and moral condemnation. It originated from a specific social group but is now used figuratively. Its application to individuals, nations, or policies often implies they are treated as untouchable or beyond the pale of acceptable society.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in historical/journalistic contexts referring to nations or states (e.g., 'pariah state'), but this is a minor tendency.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties; it is a mid-to-low frequency word found more in written commentary than everyday speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] became a pariah.[Subject] was treated as a pariah by [Group].[Subject] lived as a pariah.The pariah of [Context/Place].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Treat someone like a pariah”
- “Live the life of a pariah”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A company accused of severe unethical practices may become a pariah in the investment community.
Academic
In sociology, the concept of the 'pariah' is studied in relation to social exclusion and stigma.
Everyday
After spreading the rumour, she was treated like a pariah by her classmates.
Technical
Not typically used in hard sciences. In political science, 'pariah state' is a semi-technical term for a nation ostracised by the international community.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) The party was effectively pariahed after the scandal.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) He felt he was being pariahed by his former colleagues.
adjective
British English
- (Attributive use) The country's pariah status led to economic sanctions.
- He lived a pariah existence on the edge of town.
American English
- (Attributive use) The firm was in a pariah position within the industry.
- They adopted a pariah dog from the streets.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was a pariah after he told the teacher about the cheating.
- Nobody wanted to sit with the pariah of the class.
- The whistleblower was treated as a pariah by her former colleagues in the government department.
- Once a respected figure, the author became a social pariah following the controversial publication.
- The nation's persistent human rights violations have solidified its status as a pariah state, resulting in near-total diplomatic isolation.
- Within academic circles, proponents of the discredited theory now occupy a pariah position, their work rarely cited or engaged with seriously.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PAriah' sounds like 'pry away' – society tries to pry away from a pariah.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A CONTAINER / THE COMMUNITY IS A BODY. A pariah is someone expelled from the container or rejected by the social body as an impurity.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'пария' (pariya), which is a direct loanword but very low-frequency in Russian. The more common Russian equivalents are 'изгой' (izgoy) or 'отщепенец' (otshchepenets), which carry similar meanings of outcast.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /ˈpæriə/ or /ˈpɑːriə/.
- Misspelling as 'paria'.
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'criminal' or 'villain' without the core element of social rejection.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the use of 'pariah' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it can be. Its origin is from the Paraiyar, a Dalit community in India and Sri Lanka. Using it to describe a social group is derogatory and based on a caste stereotype. Its modern figurative use to describe an outcast is generally acceptable but should be used with awareness of its potentially sensitive history.
They are very close synonyms. 'Pariah' often implies a stronger, more formal, or more complete social rejection and carries a heavier rhetorical weight. 'Outcast' can be slightly more neutral and broader.
Yes, in an attributive position (e.g., 'pariah state', 'pariah status'). It is not standard to use it predicatively (e.g., 'The state is pariah').
Yes. It refers to a ownerless, stray dog, often of mixed breed, commonly found in developing countries. The term extends the metaphor of being an outcast or unwanted entity.
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