Boycott-Embargo | Commonly Confused Words
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Master confusing words with ease

Boycott vs. Embargo

Boycott

/ˈbɔɪkɒt/
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.

Synonyms:

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:

etymology
  • 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.
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