consumer strike: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Journalistic, Academic
Quick answer
What does “consumer strike” mean?
A collective, organised refusal by consumers to purchase certain goods or services, or to buy from a particular company or sector, as a form of protest or to force change.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collective, organised refusal by consumers to purchase certain goods or services, or to buy from a particular company or sector, as a form of protest or to force change.
A form of economic protest where buyers withhold their purchasing power to achieve social, political, or economic goals; similar in concept to a boycott but often implies a more coordinated, temporary, and specific action.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the concept is identical. Spelling follows regional norms (e.g., 'organise/organize').
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes organised civic action and economic pressure. Possibly more frequent in UK media discourse around fuel prices or utilities.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly more attested in UK/EU contexts historically (e.g., 1970s meat strikes). In the US, 'boycott' is a more common cover term.
Grammar
How to Use “consumer strike” in a Sentence
[Consumers/Group] called for a consumer strike against [Company/Product].A consumer strike over [Issue] was organised.The union urged a consumer strike.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “consumer strike” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The campaign group is urging the public to consumer-strike the offending brand.
- They consumer-struck the supermarket chain for a month.
American English
- Activists are calling to consumer-strike the fast-food giant.
- The community consumer-struck the landlord's other businesses.
adverb
British English
- They acted consumer-strike-style for weeks.
American English
- The group protested, acting almost consumer-strike-like.
adjective
British English
- The consumer-strike action gained momentum online.
- We are in a consumer-strike phase.
American English
- The consumer-strike movement spread to three states.
- They discussed consumer-strike tactics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A risk to revenue and brand reputation discussed in risk management reports.
Academic
Studied in economics, sociology, and political science as a form of non-violent protest and market force.
Everyday
Mentioned in news about high prices or corporate scandals; not common in casual chat.
Technical
A specific tactic in consumer activism and strategic non-violent conflict.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “consumer strike”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “consumer strike”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “consumer strike”
- Using 'client strike' or 'customer strike' (less idiomatic). Confusing it with a 'labour strike' by workers. Using it for an individual's decision not to buy something.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very similar. A 'consumer strike' often implies a more specific, time-limited, and dramatically named action, while a 'boycott' can be more general and long-term. 'Consumer strike' emphasises the collective withholding action.
No, by definition it requires collective, coordinated action. An individual's refusal to buy is simply a personal boycott or choice.
There's no direct single-word antonym. Concepts like 'shopping spree', 'mass consumption', or 'patronage drive' describe the opposite behaviour.
Their effectiveness depends on scale, duration, media attention, and the target's vulnerability to lost revenue. Historically, they have succeeded in lowering prices or changing policies in specific, localised contexts.
A collective, organised refusal by consumers to purchase certain goods or services, or to buy from a particular company or sector, as a form of protest or to force change.
Consumer strike is usually formal, journalistic, academic in register.
Consumer strike: in British English it is pronounced /kənˈsjuːmə ˌstraɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /kənˈsuːmɚ ˌstraɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To vote with your wallet (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: Workers go on STRIKE and don't work. Consumers go on a CONSUMER STRIKE and don't shop.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONSUMER ACTION IS WAR/A CONFLICT (launch a strike, target a company). THE MARKET IS A DEMOCRACY (voting with your wallet).
Practice
Quiz
What is the PRIMARY characteristic of a 'consumer strike'?