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Boycotting: meaning, definitions and examples

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boycotting

 

[ ˈbɔɪˌkɒtɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

social movements

Boycotting refers to the act of withdrawing from commercial or social relations with a country, organization, or individual as a form of protest. This strategy is often employed to express disapproval of policies or actions that are deemed unethical or unjust. By refusing to engage in purchasing goods or services, or participating in events supported by the target of the boycott, individuals aim to bring about change or draw attention to certain issues. Boycotting can be a powerful tool for social movements as it aims to affect economic consequences for the entity being targeted.

Synonyms

protest, refuse, shun, withdraw

Examples of usage

  • Many activists are boycotting companies that exploit their workers.
  • The community decided to boycott the products of the offending organization.
  • Consumers are encouraged to boycott brands that do not align with sustainable practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "boycotting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 boicote

🇮🇳 बायकॉटिंग

🇩🇪 Boykottieren

🇮🇩 boikot

🇺🇦 бойкотування

🇵🇱 bojkotowanie

🇯🇵 ボイコット

🇫🇷 boycott

🇪🇸 boicot

🇹🇷 boykot

🇰🇷 보이콧

🇸🇦 مقاطعة

🇨🇿 bojkotování

🇸🇰 bojkotovanie

🇨🇳 抵制

🇸🇮 bojkotiranje

🇮🇸 stríð

🇰🇿 бойкоттау

🇬🇪 ბოიკოტი

🇦🇿 boykot

🇲🇽 boicot

Etymology

The term 'boycott' originated from the name of Charles Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland during the late 19th century. In 1880, the Irish Land League organized a campaign against him for his harsh treatment of tenants. As a result of his actions, local villagers began to refuse to work for him or to engage with him in any way, effectively ostracizing him. This coordinated effort to withdraw both personal and economic relations led to the creation of the verb 'boycott' as a reference to this specific incident. Over time, the concept has evolved and been used globally to describe various forms of protest and social activism, extending beyond just economic retaliation to encompass social relations as well.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,215, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.