Definition
A social phenomenon in which groups, typically online, collectively boycott, ostracize, or withdraw support from individuals or brands deemed to have engaged in offensive or unacceptable behavior. It's both a form of accountability and, critics argue, a form of mob justice.
Example Usage
Cancel culture has made many celebrities think twice before posting controversial opinions on social media.
Origin
Term emerged in the mid-2010s, with roots in Black vernacular ('cancel' as a dismissal) but popularized through mainstream social media discourse.
Fun Fact
The concept predates the term—ostracism and boycotts have existed for centuries, but social media amplified the speed and scale dramatically.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “cancel culture” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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