gag order

noun

: a judicial ruling barring public disclosure or discussion (as by the press) of information related to a case
broadly : a similar nonjudicial prohibition against the release of confidential information or against public discussion of a sensitive matter

Examples of gag order in a Sentence

The judge has issued a gag order.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In December, a Lonoke County judge issued a gag order that banned lawyers, Spencer’s family and others connected to the case from speaking publicly about it, saying widespread media coverage could affect the jury pool. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025 Fox News Digital obtained about an hour of video taken at 1112 King Road through a public records request following the lifting of a gag order on the case. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2025 At the hearing, Daniela Abratt Cohen, the attorney for the South Florida Sun Sentinel, pointed to the Parkland school shooter’s death penalty trial as precedent against sealing off the courtroom and imposing a gag order. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025 Kohberger’s public defense team declined interview requests from the Statesman since a longstanding gag order was lifted in the high-profile murder case in mid-July, citing ethical and legal obligations to their client. Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gag order

Word History

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gag order was in 1906

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gag order.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gag%20order. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

gag order

see order sense 3b

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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