# pariah

/pɝˈaɪə/ (US) · /pəɹˈaɪə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pariah
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 2. an excluded nation or group

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a country or group that other countries refuse to work with or support.

For teachers: an entity, such as a state or organization, that is ostracized by the international community for violating international norms.

- The country became a pariah state after it broke the peace treaty.
- Diplomatic sanctions were designed to turn the regime into an international pariah, cutting off its access to global financial markets.

### 3. historical Indian caste member

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

a member of a low social class in the traditional Indian caste system.

For teachers: a member of a low-caste group in Southern India, historically subjected to severe social exclusion.

- The book describes the difficult lives of the pariahs in ancient Indian society.
- Historical accounts detail the systemic marginalization of the Pariah community within the rigid hierarchy of the traditional caste system.

Usage: Often capitalized in this specific historical or sociological context.

## Examples

- The politician became a pariah after the scandal.
- After the betrayal, he was treated as a pariah by his former friends and colleagues.
- The novel explores the psychological toll of being a pariah in a small, tightly-knit community where every action is subject to public scrutiny and judgment.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.