Which noun best describes a person rejected or despised by society?

• A. Pariah
• B. Misanthrope
• C. Paragon
• D. Recluse

Answer: (A)

This item is testing your understanding of a noun for someone who is rejected by society. Pariah describes a person who is shunned or ostracized by the community, carrying a strong sense of social exclusion. You can think of it like someone who has been pushed to the margins by others and treated as an outcast. A misanthrope, by contrast, is someone who hates humanity in general, not necessarily someone who has been rejected by others. A paragon refers to an ideal example of excellence, which is the opposite of being despised or excluded. A recluse is someone who lives in isolation, but isolation isn’t the same as being despised or rejected by society. So the best fit for a person rejected or despised by society is pariah.