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

A social media-led boycott has homed in on Lifetouch, the photography company hired by thousands of U.S. schools each year to take portraits of students.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their Colombo showdown at the ongoing T20 World Cup only went ahead after Pakistan called off a threatened boycott.

From Barron's

He vowed that boycotts and other actions would take place if there was not significant change.

From Los Angeles Times

The 1980 Moscow Olympics were boycotted by the U.S. in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, only for the Soviet Union to retaliate by boycotting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Without waiting for a boycott, other dairy companies called with offers, too.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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