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

Michael Stulbarg and Chloë Sevigny also star in the film, which touches on themes of cancel culture, the MeToo movement and free speech. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile the screenwriter Nora Garrett addressed the difficulty of tackling complex and hot-button issues like cancel culture in her script. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 29 Aug. 2025

Performers that might spark backlash on American college campuses, or who didn’t escape unscathed during the height of cancel culture, will take the stage for the Riyadh Comedy Festival next month. —Manal Albarakati, semafor.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The incident has divided TikTok users, sparking conversations about cancel culture and the responsibilities of public figures. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

2016, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cancel culture

• agriculture
• apiculture
• aquaculture
• counterculture
• floriculture
• horticulture
• mariculture
• monoculture
• sericulture
• silviculture
• viticulture
• arboriculture