Synonyms for

Caste

Verb / kæst / Another word for caste — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Caste refers to a social class or group that someone is born into and cannot change.

Synonyms & similar words

Synonyms by register

Antonyms

Common collocations

  • caste system
  • upper caste
  • lower caste
  • caste discrimination
  • caste politics
  • caste identity
  • caste-based

Word family

noun caste
adjective casteless

Usage note

Primarily refers to the rigid social stratification system historically found in India. While sometimes used metaphorically for social divisions in other contexts, this usage can be controversial due to the specific historical and cultural weight of the term.

Example sentences

  1. The caste system in India divides people into different social classes.
  2. In some societies, your caste determines the kind of job you can have.
  3. She was born into a high caste and had many privileges that others did not.
  4. The caste system has been criticized for being unfair and discriminatory.
  5. The lower castes in some countries have limited access to education and healthcare.

Quotes

  • Caste is a social custom, and is essentially a means of exploiting the poor.
  • Caste is not a physical object like a wall of bricks or a line of barbed wire which prevents the Hindus from co-mingling and which has, therefore, to be pulled down. Caste is a notion; it is a state of the mind.
  • Caste is a very difficult thing to talk about in modern society because it's very much an ancient thing.

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