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

But others told me that an atmosphere of self-censorship and anxiety about unwritten restrictions, had become routine in the industry. —Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 Mar. 2026

Trump’s culture wars are spreading fear, intimidation and self-censorship, but American artists, along with artists around the world, have long been the ones to speak out when others are too frightened. —Jane M. Saks, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

Maybe at a subconscious level there’s a certain amount of self-censorship. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2026

Apple Daily’s closure after a 2021 police raid has triggered broader media self-censorship and narrowed Hong Kong’s once-vibrant press landscape. —Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-censorship

• apostleship
• apprenticeship
• assistantship
• championship
• chancellorship
• citizenship
• companionship
• copartnership
• dictatorship
• directorship
• discipleship
• editorship