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
Demetria SlytAt 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
Hunter WoodallCancel culture is supported as a tool to stop offensive and harmful behavior, while others find it problematic and toxic.—Elise Krumholz
Elise Krumholzcancel 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
Brad Peters Examples of cancel culture in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Three years ago, Das got a taste of cancel culture, Indian style.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
Many walk a tightrope with fears of succumbing to the cancel culture.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
There are bits about cancel culture in how Stephen makes Catherine fall from grace, but the action rarely yields any real insight; an illustration of the decontextualizing force of social media recalls a similar thread in the Blanchett-starring Tár.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
This gives voice to an increasingly popular (and occasionally overstated) perspective that there is no such thing as cancel culture, that comics called out never suffer real repercussions and, if anything, that their careers benefit.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cancel culture 
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Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Nov. 2024
Many walk a tightrope with fears of succumbing to the cancel culture.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
There are bits about cancel culture in how Stephen makes Catherine fall from grace, but the action rarely yields any real insight; an illustration of the decontextualizing force of social media recalls a similar thread in the Blanchett-starring Tár.
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2024
This gives voice to an increasingly popular (and occasionally overstated) perspective that there is no such thing as cancel culture, that comics called out never suffer real repercussions and, if anything, that their careers benefit.
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 2 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cancel culture
Dictionary Entries Near cancel culture
Cite this Entry
“Cancel culture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cancel%20culture. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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