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

As a college undergraduate myself, I’m frustrated with cancel culture too.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Nearly all get delivered by McKellen’s Julian, waving a champagne coupe while monologuing about humidifiers, cancel culture and a doctor who smells like radishes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

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

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

With cancel culture being something that many people take an odd stance on, I’d wager that the average person doesn’t realize the extent of Pitt’s alleged actions.

From Salon • Jun. 30, 2025

And since 2018, these other countries have begun importing stories about cancel culture.

From Slate • Jan. 5, 2025