self-censorship

noun

self-cen·​sor·​ship ˌself-ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship 

plural self-censorships

: the act or action of refraining from expressing something (such as a thought, point of view, or belief) that others could deem objectionable

What effects does self-censorship have on the accuracy and predictive validity of opinion polls?

—Samuel J. Best and Benjamin Radcliff

If self-censorship were ineffective, direct prohibition would be substituted.

—Raymond Hutchings

self-censor

ˌself-ˈsen(t)-sər 

verb, transitive + intransitive

self-censored; self-censoring; self-censors

She self-censors her language around the children.

I know our interrogators wouldn't want us to answer that question. I feel an overwhelming need to self-censor. "We can't really talk about that," I say.

—Shane Bauer et al.

Examples of self-censorship in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Attacks on non-partisan civil servants inspire submission; threats against newsrooms invite self-censorship. —Nancy Gibbs, TIME, 4 Dec. 2024

In other words, will leaders feel a need to practice more self-censorship to refrain from saying anything that others could interpret as being offensive? —Liz Guthridge, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024

And on social media platforms, censorship extends to self-censorship, as users restrict their own speech out of fear of reprisal. —Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 18 Sep. 2024

An American think tank expert described numerous examples of censorship and self-censorship at prominent US institutions. —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 22 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above