boycott
A concerted act of protest where individuals or groups refuse to buy, use, or participate in something to express disapproval or force change. It is primarily used as a tool for social, political, or economic pressure against an organization or country.
Examples
3 of 5The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.
The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.
Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.
Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.
I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.
I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
The word comes from Captain Charles Boycott, an agent in Ireland whose neighbors 'cut him off' and refused to speak to him or work for him—think of 'cutting' ties like a Boy-cut.
Quick Quiz
The environmental group urged citizens to _______ the clothing brand until it improved its sustainability practices.
Correct!
The correct answer is: boycott
Examples
The local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.
everydayThe local community organized a boycott of the supermarket chain to protest its treatment of staff.
Several nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.
formalSeveral nations have proposed a diplomatic boycott of the upcoming international summit.
I'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.
informalI'm doing a personal boycott of that coffee shop because their prices are just ridiculous.
The effectiveness of the 1955 bus boycott is a central theme in many sociological studies of the era.
academicThe effectiveness of the 1955 bus boycott is a central theme in many sociological studies of the era.
The board of directors met to discuss the potential impact of a consumer boycott on quarterly earnings.
businessThe board of directors met to discuss the potential impact of a consumer boycott on quarterly earnings.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
launch a boycott
to start a formal protest refusal
break a boycott
to stop participating in a boycott or act against it
threaten a boycott
to warn that a boycott will occur if demands aren't met
Often Confused With
An embargo is usually a government-mandated trade restriction, while a boycott is often a voluntary consumer or group action.
A strike is a refusal to work by employees, whereas a boycott is a refusal to buy or deal with an entity by consumers or outsiders.
Usage Notes
Boycott functions as both a noun and a transitive verb. When used as a noun, it is frequently paired with the preposition 'of' to indicate the target (e.g., a boycott of the product).
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use the preposition 'to' after the noun 'boycott', but 'of' is the correct choice. Additionally, do not confuse the spelling with 'boy-coat'.
Memory Tip
The word comes from Captain Charles Boycott, an agent in Ireland whose neighbors 'cut him off' and refused to speak to him or work for him—think of 'cutting' ties like a Boy-cut.
Word Origin
Named after Captain Charles C. Boycott (1832–97), an English land agent in Ireland who was ostracized by his community during the Land League agitation in 1880.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The word is deeply linked to the history of civil rights and social justice movements, notably the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the US.
Quick Quiz
The environmental group urged citizens to _______ the clothing brand until it improved its sustainability practices.
Correct!
The correct answer is: boycott
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