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

Also offering food for thought is director Luca Guadagnino, whose film After the Hunt gives us a devastating look into cancel culture on campus. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025

The result is heady—readily referencing Giorgio Agamben and Theodor Adorno and relitigating the flaws of cancel culture—and Maggie, to put it plainly, is a bit of a pill. —Marley Marius, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025

While many songs seemingly shout out Swift's fiancé Travis Kelce, others touch on topics like cancel culture and an alleged feud with Charli XCX. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Oct. 2025

While Cyrus reflected on her experience as an early figure in cancel culture, many of the post’s commenters pointed out that other female pop stars faced similar or even harsher backlash before her. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 2 Oct. 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