untouchable

/ʌnˈtʌtʃəbəl/
adjective
  1. Not able or allowed to be touched.
    • The painting is kept behind glass and is untouchable.
    • Some of the museum exhibits are untouchable for conservation reasons.
    • The child was told the hot stove was untouchable.
  2. Not able to be affected, harmed, or criticized.
    • Her reputation was untouchable despite the rumors.
    • After winning the championship, the team felt untouchable.
    • The dictator believed he was untouchable by the law.
  3. Relating to a person belonging to a low caste in traditional South Asian society, formerly subjected to severe social discrimination.
    • The untouchable communities faced centuries of oppression.
    • Reforms have improved conditions for untouchable groups, but challenges remain.
    • He wrote about the struggles of untouchable laborers in his novel.
Synonyms
noun
  1. A person belonging to a low caste in traditional South Asian society, formerly considered outside the caste system and subjected to severe discrimination.
    • Many untouchables converted to other religions to escape caste oppression.
    • The term 'untouchable' is now considered offensive; 'Dalit' is preferred.
    • The activist fought for the rights of untouchables.
  2. A person or thing that cannot be touched, affected, or reached.
    • The star quarterback was considered an untouchable in the draft.
    • In the game, that player is an untouchable because of his special power.
    • Some topics are untouchables in polite conversation.