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

His intrusive attempt to rest instead gives way to a flirtatious conversation about Ernest Hemingway and cancel culture. —Courtney Howard, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025

Liberal fans accused Sweeney of being too cozy with family members who backed Donald Trump, while right-wingers launched into the usual tirades about cancel culture (and entertained the idea that Sweeney might be one of their own). —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 8 Aug. 2025

Anyone who dared challenge the prevailing narrative faced the wrath of a ravenous cancel culture. —David Oliver, USA Today, 22 July 2025

This is why the enemies of cancel culture cannot help but compare the firing of Hollywood directors to witch hunts. —Andrea Long Chu, Vulture, 5 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