Word of the day · 16 May 2026
boycott
/ˈbɔɪkɒt/
verb
To refuse to buy from, deal with or take part in something as a form of protest or pressure.
In a sentence
- Shoppers chose to boycott the brand after the labor report.
- Athletes threatened to boycott the tournament over travel rules.
- A citywide boycott emptied the company’s stores for a week.
In an image
Origin
From Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent ostracized in 1880; his surname became the verb and noun.
History
Organized shunning of Boycott’s farms and services made his name a common noun almost overnight. Labor, civil rights and consumer movements later used boycotts as nonviolent leverage. The tactic works by withholding money or participation. People search the word when campaigns ask them to join one.
Nearby words
shun · protest · blacklist
Protest by walking away from a purchase, event or partner.