cancel culture

noun

: the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling (see cancel entry 1 sense 1e) as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure

For those of you who aren't aware, cancel culture refers to the mass withdrawal of support from public figures or celebrities who have done things that aren't socially accepted today. This practice of "canceling" or mass shaming often occurs on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

—Demetria Slyt

At a Republican National Convention where speakers' rage about cancel culture has been clear, former Covington Catholic student Nick Sandmann used his speaking slot to introduce himself as "the teenager who was defamed by the media."

—Hunter Woodall

Cancel culture is supported as a tool to stop offensive and harmful behavior, while others find it problematic and toxic.

—Elise Krumholz

cancel culture warriors

the cancel culture movement

also : the people who engage in or support this practice

I have to admit that I'm not opposed to the majority of legacies, groups of people, and trends being scrutinized by the cancel culture. In fact, the response to many of the ideologies and personalities that have been "cancelled" is, in most cases, long, long overdue. But I have a few concerns …

—Brad Peters

Examples of cancel culture in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most managers will likely avoid situations that present the opportunity to be shamed or, even worse, become a part of the cancel culture phenomenon. —Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Seth Cohen doesn't want to hear about cancel culture. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2024

Despite being a nearly three-hour drama about cancel culture and the creative process, the film continues to spawn countless online jokes and merchandise two years later. —Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 7 Aug. 2024

Unfortunately, the Stamford Board of Education still sees him that way and has chosen to engage in the latest round of cancel culture by eliminating Columbus Day and giving their students a distorted, narrow view based on identity politics. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2016, in the meaning defined above