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

Embargo vs. Boycott

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:

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:

Ways to tell them apart:

etymology
  • 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.
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