boycott

American  

[boi-kot] / ˈbɔɪ kɒt /

verb (used with object)

1. to combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion.

   to boycott a store.

2. to abstain from buying or using.

   to boycott foreign products.

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noun

1. the practice of boycotting.

2. an instance of boycotting.

boycott ¹ British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

verb

1. (tr) to refuse to have dealings with (a person, organization, etc) or refuse to buy (a product) as a protest or means of coercion

   to boycott foreign produce

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noun

1. an instance or the use of boycotting

Boycott ² British  

/ ˈbɔɪkɒt /

noun

1. Geoff ( rey ). born 1940, English cricketer: played for Yorkshire (1962–86); played in 108 test matches (1964–1982); first England batsman to score 8,000 test runs

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boycott Cultural  

1. The refusal to purchase the products of an individual, corporation, or nation as a way to bring social and political pressure for change.

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Other Word Forms

• antiboycott noun
• boycotter noun
• proboycott adjective

Etymology

Origin of boycott

After Charles C. Boycott (1832–97), English estate manager in Ireland, against whom nonviolent coercive tactics were used in 1880

Example Sentences

As a prominent labour organiser, Chavez helped lead a major strike against Delano grape growers in the 1960s, which sparked boycotts across the country, in order to gain better wages and conditions for workers.

From BBC

Members also voted to pass an amendment to the motion at the conference, which called for the union to survey secondary school members to see whether they would be willing to boycott the tests.

From BBC

After the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy in 1968, the team voted to boycott games in protest.

From The Wall Street Journal

They were partners in decades of labor battles, boycotts, protests and political alliances.

From Los Angeles Times

A US judge has dismissed a lawsuit by Elon Musk's X which accused a group of advertisers and major companies of illegally boycotting his platform.

From BBC

Related Words

• avoid
• cut off
• exclude
• refuse
• reject
• snub
• spurn