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
Samuel J. Best and Benjamin RadcliffIf self-censorship were ineffective, direct prohibition would be substituted.—Raymond Hutchings
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.
Shane Bauer et al.
Examples of self-censorship in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Putin-era Russia, the takeover of NTV, and similar cases of state encroachment in the media, eventually led to a culture of self-censorship, in which outright bans or other repressive measures were relatively rare.
—Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The threats are so vague, and government power so extensive, that this will undoubtedly drive widespread self-censorship and suppress free expression across many communities out of fear.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
What’s the point of a university experience if the free exchange of ideas is buried under self-censorship or the censoring screams of hysterics who think words are literally violence?
Dialogue and persuasion are the path to a richer and more civil future.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
These myriad verifications mean that even supposedly anonymous posts on online forums can bring legal consequences, promoting a culture of self-censorship.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-censorship
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Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
The threats are so vague, and government power so extensive, that this will undoubtedly drive widespread self-censorship and suppress free expression across many communities out of fear.
—Elizabeth Shackelford, Twin Cities, 26 Sep. 2025
What’s the point of a university experience if the free exchange of ideas is buried under self-censorship or the censoring screams of hysterics who think words are literally violence?
Dialogue and persuasion are the path to a richer and more civil future.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025
These myriad verifications mean that even supposedly anonymous posts on online forums can bring legal consequences, promoting a culture of self-censorship.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for self-censorship
Cite this Entry
“Self-censorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-censorship. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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