PARIAH Synonyms: 11 Similar and Opposite Words

pariah

noun

pə-ˈrī-ə

Definition of pariah

as in outcast

one who is cast out or rejected by society I felt like a pariah when I wore the wrong outfit to the dinner party

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insider

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of pariah Sign Up for Our Free Daily Newsletter North Korea’s Mount Mantap is being rocked by earthquakes—and the reason appears to be the pariah state’s nuclear tests. — Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026 Now Afghanistan is a global pariah, its Taliban government recognized only by Russia. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 31 Aug. 2026 Attorneys representing Warren Hudson, Jax Pitalo and Morgan Seymour say despite cooperating with investigators, their clients have effectively become pariahs in their hometown and have been subjected to death threats and defamation. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Don’t choose this option If that road to peace is permanently closed, as Netanyahu’s coalition intends, Israel will condemn itself to perpetual warfare and to being a pariah nation in a friendless world. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pariah

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pariah

Noun

His leading role as depressed outcast Pierre earned him his first of two Tony Award nominations for best actor in a musical.

— Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2026
The one-of-a-kind tribute to the eternal hitmaker tells a Wizard of Oz-esque story (fitting for one of the stars of The Wiz) about a group of four outcasts who learn to embrace their unique talents after being gifted special objects from Michael.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of outcast

Noun

The best part of the movie is Murray Bartlett’s wise leper, a man who for the vast majority of his screen time is covered head to toe.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
Robin also strikes up a friendship with a soulful, philosophical leper (Murray Bartlett, covered in wrappings from head to toe), who somehow recognizes his good qualities.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 11 June 2026

Definition of leper

Noun

Before carving out a career in sports broadcasting and voice acting, Horton was just a teenaged high school basketball reject.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
And both the immune and eliminated designers are high on their own power; Elizabeth, in particular, is acting mighty haughty for a woman whose ruffled scarlet satin dress looks like a reject from the Westworld costume department.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026

Definition of reject

Noun

As fans recall, season 50 featured a guest appearance by MrBeast, who challenged the castaways to correctly guess a coin toss to double the $1 million prize.

— Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026
Meet the 'Survivor' 51 castaways Are there any players from Michigan on 'Survivor' 51?

— Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of castaway

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“Pariah.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pariah. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of pariah

noun

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