Most Modern Portmanteaus are Retarded, Stahp!

Incel is a hard word.

Because it was originally a slur

but, to a certain group, it described their poor situation.
And to them, it has much more meaning.

Something like: i haven't had a girlfriend, i will never have a girlfriend, girls don't even like to talk to me, they get this disgusted look on their face whenever i try, and i would really like a girl to love me for who i am.

So, the words involuntarily celibate is really a misnomer... but how do you pack all that into a easy to say package?

and BTW, the entire "incel" mindset keeps one being an incel, so there is no way out.
Also, the way out is very difficult and most who have made the journey have said it wasn't worth it for today's women.

Unfortunately, it'll get worse for them before it gets better as the powers that be are steadily trying to keep everyone separated, isolated, and distanced. But I too, think it's a disempowering word, for anyone to identify with. And that kind of circles back around to it being a complete (destructive) thought meme that takes the form of a singular word. And then as you mentioned, the ones that get themselves out of that box, go right on in and jump into another one (mgtow). There seems a strong desire within some people to compartmentalize, categorize, and put people into small boxes. It's a very limiting and weird phenomenon to observe. The spark of chemistry that allows two people to hit it off should be enough to discourage people from identifying with either of these groups. It's worse than an all or nothing mentality, more like a nothing/nothing mentality.