To refuse to buy, use, or participate as a way of protesting.
Examples:
Citizens decided to boycott the new fast-food chain.The band's fans chose to boycott the streaming platform.The union called for a boycott against unethical products.
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Antonyms:
Embargo
An official ban or restriction on trade or exchange with a particular country or region.
Examples:
The city imposed an embargo on all new construction.They lifted the embargo to promote free trade again.Due to the embargo, imports have stagnated significantly.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
Embargo and boycott both involve restriction, but embargo is typically imposed by a government, while boycott involves individuals or groups.
Embargoes often involve restrictions on trade or goods, but a boycott usually involves not buying or using services or products.
An embargo can be a formal, official ban, whereas a boycott is more often an informal or grassroots action.
Embargoes can be used as tools of foreign policy, while boycotts are often used for social or political protest.
Remember that embargo ends with go, but its about stopping activity, while boycott has boy' in it, which might remind you of members of the public acting against something.