Pariah

A pariah is an individual who is rejected, shunned, or excluded from a group, community, or society, often due to social, cultural, or moral beliefs. The term originates from the Tamil word 'paraiyan' referring to a member of a low caste, historically regarded as untouchable. pariah implies a strong social stigma, leading to isolation and considerable societal consequences for the individual.

Pariah meaning with examples

• After being found guilty of embezzlement, Jane became a pariah in her once-tight-knit community, where neighbors avoided contact and friends distanced themselves, leaving her to grapple with the overwhelming sense of isolation.
• In the realm of politics, whistleblowers often find themselves cast as pariahs, facing hostility and backlash from their colleagues and institutions for exposing corruption and unethical behavior, regardless of their intentions.
• When he expressed controversial opinions during the public forum, Mark quickly became a pariah among his peers, prompting lively debate and criticism, culminating in an embarrassing exit from the conversation.
• The artist, once celebrated for her groundbreaking work, became a pariah after a scandal broke, as critics turned their backs, and galleries refused to exhibit her pieces, creating a stark fall from grace.
• In the digital age, social media can escalate someone's status as a pariah with a single viral post, where public opinion can swiftly shift, resulting in long-lasting reputational damage and social exclusion.