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

Hmm:Is this the way to sidestep 'cancel culture' and be friends with everyone? —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 6 June 2024

Read why she’s now caught in the crosshairs of cancel culture. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 20 June 2024

In 2024, a story like this has to be — or at least is very likely to be — an allegory for what’s known as cancel culture. —Mike Hale, New York Times, 11 June 2024

As Ava points out, there are no victims of cancel culture. —Alex Abad-Santos, Vox, 23 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

2016, in the meaning defined above