cancel culture

American  

[kan-suhl kuhl-cher] / ˈkæn səl ˌkʌl tʃər /

noun

1. the phenomenon or practice of publicly rejecting, boycotting, or ending support for particular people or groups because of their socially or morally unacceptable views or actions.

   Cancel culture can ruin careers, but it can also make a public figure think twice before posting controversial comments.

2. the shared attitudes and values within a particular segment of society that lead to such public rejection of particular people or groups.

   In a cancel culture, we appoint ourselves the arbiters of right and wrong.

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Etymology

Origin of cancel culture

First recorded in 2015–20

Example Sentences

Weiss, who started her career working at Jewish news outlets, is known for her criticism of "cancel culture".

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

The press feasted on Duesberg’s self-portrayal as the victim of ostracism arising from professional jealousies — a target of cancel culture before that was a thing.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2026

Bryant, too, saw herself as a victim of what we now call cancel culture.

From Slate • Jan. 11, 2025

"That review identified evidence of a concerning practice of social ostracism among students, often referred to as a cancel culture," the coroner said.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2024

This problem with disproportionality is what I think characterizes stories about cancel culture.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2024