pariah

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pariah" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who is outcast or ostracized from society. For example, "After being caught stealing from the store, John was considered a pariah in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, this Government will never treat coal as a pariah industry.

The Guardian

The dread behind his secret revelation – so feared, it drove him to kill – was that its discovery would make him hated, marked, a social pariah.

The Guardian

Affecting apartheid drama, in which Okonedo stars as a girl born with a rare skin condition that makes her a pariah in racist South Africa.

The Guardian - Film

The legend has become a pariah, hounded out by his own club, Bayer Leverkusen.

The Guardian - Sport

The Greens are telling members opposite to treat coal as a pariah.

The Guardian

If the Russians decide to cut off the gas supply and the country is plunged into darkness, I wonder if people will still treat me like some sort of social pariah?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: North Korea submarine missile launch photos may be fake, say experts For 25 years, the pariah state has been intent on developing a formidable arsenal, and the recent "missile launches" are just manoeuvres in a well worn routine the country has developed to get what it wants.

The Guardian

But if air conditioning helps to identify Houston to the world, it is another distinction that makes it a true pariah to environmentalists: for the past two years it has deprived Los Angeles of the title of America's smoggiest city.

The Guardian

A generation of working-class Catholics who had faced death, fought back and been interned or imprisoned, emerged from the prisons and pariah status and are now regenerating places whose previous manufactured product was cannon fodder.

The Guardian

With his track record of espousing reconciliation – as mayor of Nicosia's Turkish-controlled sector, Akinci collaborated closely with his Greek Cypriot counterpart on a number of projects in the capital – the new Turkish Cypriot leader is seen as the one man willing to take on his pariah state's protector and economic mainstay: Turkey.

The Guardian

And, should there be a surprise on the way, you can point out that we no longer live in the 19th century where children out of wedlock will make you a social pariah.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pariah" when you want to emphasize complete social rejection or ostracism. It carries a stronger connotation than simply being disliked or unpopular.

Common error

Avoid using "pariah" for minor social faux pas or disagreements. The term implies a profound and widespread rejection, not just temporary disapproval.

Linguistic Context

Pariah functions primarily as a noun, denoting an individual or entity that is ostracized, rejected, or despised by society or a particular group. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically sound and frequently used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pariah" is a noun used to describe someone who is an outcast or is greatly despised by society. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use. Its primary contexts are News & Media, and Formal & Business. The word conveys a strong sense of social rejection. When using "pariah", ensure that it reflects a severe and widespread ostracism, not merely a minor disagreement. Alternatives include "outcast" or "persona non grata".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outcast

Direct synonym, referring to someone excluded from society.

social outcast

Specifies the social nature of the exclusion.

persona non grata

Latin term for an unwelcome person, often in diplomatic contexts.

rejected individual

More descriptive, emphasizing the act of rejection.

ostracized person

Highlights the act of being excluded from a group.

untouchable

Suggests a status of being beyond acceptance or redemption.

black sheep

Idiomatic term for someone who doesn't fit in with their family or group.

exile

Implies a forced separation from a community or homeland.

banished one

Emphasizes the act of being formally expelled.

leper

Historically used for individuals with leprosy who were isolated. Now used figuratively for someone to be avoided.

FAQs

How to use "pariah" in a sentence?

You can use "pariah" to describe someone or something that is rejected by society or a particular group. For example, "After the scandal, he became a social "pariah"."

What can I say instead of "pariah"?

You can use alternatives like "outcast", "persona non grata", or "rejected individual" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pariah" or "outcast"?

Both ""pariah"" and "outcast" are correct, but ""pariah"" often implies a more severe or complete form of social rejection.

What's the difference between "pariah" and "isolate"?

"Pariah" describes someone rejected by society, while "isolate" refers to physical or emotional separation, which may or may not be due to social rejection.