boycotts; boycotted; boycotting
: to refuse to buy, use, or participate in (something) as a way of protesting
plans to boycott American products
They boycotted the city's bus system.
The country's leaders boycotted [=did not attend] the event in protest.
: to stop using the goods or services of (a company, country, etc.) until changes are made
We boycotted companies that were polluting the environment.
plural boycotts
: an often organized act of boycotting something
the 1955 bus boycott
—often + of, against, or onthe country's boycott of the Olympics
a boycott against/on the company's products
Cite this Entry
“Boycott.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/boycott. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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