self-censorship

noun

self-cen·​sor·​ship ˌself-ˈsen(t)-sər-ˌship How to pronounce self-censorship (audio)
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 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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 To mollify the Russians, the Finns also practiced self-censorship on a sweeping scale. Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for self-censorship 

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-censorship was in 1845

Dictionary Entries Near self-censorship

Cite this Entry

“Self-censorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-censorship. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.

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