self-censorship

noun

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

plural self-censorships

Definition of self-censorship

: 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

Other Words from self-censorship

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.