Definition

1. Noun:

   • A collective refusal by a group of people to engage in commercial or social relations with a person, organization, or country, typically as a form of protest or punishment.

2. Verb:

   • To refuse to buy, use, or participate in something as a way of expressing strong disapproval or forcing changes in policy.

Usage

• As a Noun: The word "boycott" describes the organized protest action itself.
• As a Verb: The word "boycott" describes the act of participating in or organizing such a refusal.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The consumer boycott of the company led to a significant drop in sales.
  • They organized a boycott of the products to protest unfair labor practices.

• Verb:

  • Many people decided to boycott the election, claiming it was unfair.
  • Activists are urging the public to boycott brands that harm the environment.

Advanced Usage

• "to boycott a product": to intentionally stop buying a specific item.

  • She boycotted the brand after learning about its animal testing policies.

• "to boycott an event": to refuse to attend or participate in a gathering.

  • Several countries threatened to boycott the Olympic Games.

Variants and Related Words

• Boycotter (noun): A person who participates in a boycott.
  • The boycotters stood outside the store, handing out informational leaflets.

Synonyms

• Embargo (noun/verb): An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country. (Often used for government-imposed actions.)
• Sanction (noun/verb): A threatened penalty for disobeying a law or rule, or an official measure to restrict trade. (Broader term, often governmental.)
• Blacklist (verb): To put a person or organization on a list of those to be avoided or distrusted.

Phrasal Verbs / Related Phrases

(Note: "Boycott" is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions. The action is expressed directly.) - To call for a boycott: To publicly urge people to start a boycott. - The union called for a boycott of all goods from that country.

Related Idioms

• "Vote with your wallet": This idiom conveys a similar idea to boycotting, meaning to show your disapproval of a company's practices by not buying its products.
  • If you don't agree with their politics, vote with your wallet and shop elsewhere.

Noun

1. a group's refusal to have commercial dealings with some organization in protest against its policies

Verb

1. refuse to sponsor; refuse to do business with