cancel culture

[kan-suhl kuhl-cher]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cancel culture¹

First recorded in 2015–20

Example Sentences

Critics of the administration, free speech organizations and even some conservative pundits who have long criticized the “cancel culture” of the progressive left have spoken out against some of those policies.

From Los Angeles Times

In recent years a "cancel culture" has emerged in which those with "unacceptable" views can be hounded out of their jobs, no platformed as speakers or intimidated as students.

From BBC

But it is rich for the people who just a few years ago were saying liberal “cancel culture” was ruining America to adopt the same tactics.

From Los Angeles Times

Obama said the incident represented a new and dangerous level of cancel culture.

From BBC

Because for the past decade, the right has been on a crusade to end what they see as the scourge of “cancel culture.”

From Salon