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

This has created a culture of self-censorship in publishing, one in which even progressive authors are being silenced by public outcry on the left. —Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025

Advertisement The agreements have sparked concern from media organizations, and legal experts told TIME in the wake of Paramount’s decision to settle with Trump that such cases could fuel a decline in the U.S.’s press freedoms and lead to self-censorship in newsrooms. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 25 Aug. 2025

The resulting self-censorship may mean that available data in some regional languages might not represent authentic local culture. —Cecilia Hult, Fortune, 15 July 2025

It must be upheld without censorship, self-censorship and free from discrimination. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 8 July 2025

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