Words / B2

BOYK-ot/ˈbɔɪkɒt/

To boycott is to refuse to buy from, use, or deal with someone as a protest: boycott a shop, boycott the vote. Refuse and stay away are everyday; strike is workers stopping work, a different tactic. Boycott is also a noun (a consumer boycott). In speech, we are not using them on principle is the picture. The word is political. Do not call missing one lesson a boycott unless it is organised protest.

Meaning

To refuse to buy from, use, or deal with someone as a protest.

Examples

• “Students boycotted the canteen over the price rise.”
• “Parents boycotted the paid photo day after the price doubled overnight.”
• “A boycott of the brand spread online before any shop had changed its shelves.”

Good to know

Refuse to buy/use/deal as protest. Noun: a boycott. Everyday: stay away on principle. Contrast: strike (stop work). Organised, political.

Near in meaning

shun

New