Untouchable: meaning, definitions and examples

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untouchable

[ʌnˈtʌʧəbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

inviolable

Not able to be touched or affected; beyond the reach of criticism or attack.

Synonyms

immune, impregnable, invulnerable, sacrosanct.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
untouchable	Describing something or someone that cannot be affected or harmed, often in a social or professional context. Can also refer to something that is off-limits. Despite numerous attempts, his reputation remained untouchable Their sacred rituals are untouchable by outsiders
invulnerable	Describes something that is not susceptible to harm or damage, often in a physical or emotional context. The superhero is invulnerable to most attacks She built emotional walls to feel invulnerable
sacrosanct	Used to describe something that is considered too important or valuable to be interfered with, often in a cultural or religious context. The ancient manuscript is sacrosanct Her weekends are sacrosanct and not to be disturbed
immune	Used when someone or something is not affected by a disease, condition, or process, often in a medical or metaphorical sense. After the vaccination, she was immune to the virus He seemed immune to criticism
impregnable	Refers to something that cannot be broken into or penetrated, often used for physical structures or defenses. The castle was considered impregnable during the siege They created an impregnable password system

Examples of usage

The president's popularity seemed untouchable despite the scandal.
His reputation in the industry was untouchable.
The artist's work was considered untouchable by critics.
Her beauty was so striking that it seemed untouchable.
The team's winning streak was untouchable.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

sports

A player, team, or record that has not been surpassed or exceeded.

Synonyms

dominant, record-breaking, unassailable, unbeatable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
untouchable	Repeated entry, see above for description and examples.
unbeatable	Best used when describing someone or something that cannot be defeated, often in competitions or challenges. With their current lineup, the team looks unbeatable this season Her unbeatable spirit helped her overcome all obstacles
unassailable	This word fits when referring to someone or something that cannot be attacked, questioned, or defeated because of their strong position or evidence. His argument was unassailable, leaving no room for doubt The fortress was in an unassailable location, making it impregnable
dominant	This word is suitable for describing someone or something that is more powerful, influential, or noticeable than others. The dominant team in the league has won five consecutive championships His dominant personality makes him a natural leader
record-breaking	Use this when talking about achievements that surpass previous records or set new standards. She had a record-breaking performance at the Olympics, winning three gold medals The company achieved record-breaking sales this quarter

Examples of usage

He was considered an untouchable in the world of tennis.
The team's unbeaten season made them untouchables in the league.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not,' and 'touchable,' coming from the Old French word 'toc' meaning 'to touch.'
It was first used in English in the late 19th century, primarily to denote people of high caste in Indian society.

Social Issues

In India, 'untouchables' refer to individuals from historically marginalized castes, often facing severe discrimination.
The caste system created social stratification, where 'untouchables' were excluded from many aspects of society, including education and healthcare.

Literature

The concept of 'untouchability' has been explored in various literary works, highlighting the struggles of those marginalized in society.
Notable works include 'The Untouchable' by Mulk Raj Anand, which depicts the life and challenges of an untouchable character in India.

Pop Culture

In popular culture, the idea of being 'untouchable' often symbolizes characters that have special powers or status, making them invulnerable.
Movies like 'The Untouchables' reflect themes of justice, where the protagonists stand against corruption and crime.

Psychology

The feeling of being 'untouchable' can create a sense of invincibility, but can also lead to isolation and a lack of genuine connections with others.
This concept can be linked to the psychological theory of social identity, where individuals align themselves with particular groups, sometimes at the expense of inclusivity.

Translations

Translations of the word "untouchable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intocável

🇮🇳 अस्पृश्य

🇩🇪 unberührbar

🇮🇩 tidak tersentuh

🇺🇦 недоторканний

🇵🇱 nietykalny

🇯🇵 触れられない

🇫🇷 intouchable

🇪🇸 intocable

🇹🇷 dokunulmaz

🇰🇷 접할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير قابل للمس

🇨🇿 nedotknutelný

🇸🇰 nedotknuteľný

🇨🇳 不可接触的

🇸🇮 nedotakljiv

🇮🇸 ósnertanlegur

🇰🇿 қол жетпес

🇬🇪 შეუხებელი

🇦🇿 toxunulmaz

🇲🇽 intocable

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #26,455, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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26452 emulating
26453 microfilming
26454 squirm
26455 untouchable
26456 dishevelled
26457 counterpoise
26458 restarted
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