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 is typically imposed by governments or international bodies and usually involves official bans on trade or communication with a particular country.
A boycott is more often a protest action taken by individuals or groups against companies, organizations, or products.
Think of an embargo as a formal and often legal restriction, while a boycott can be informal and organized by consumers or groups.
An embargo can cover broader areas like trade or military cooperation, whereas a boycott is often product-specific.
Embargoes are about cutting off, while boycotts are about avoiding.