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
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
The 311 Notre Dame students surveyed reflected a noticeable drop in political tolerance and an increase in self-censorship, FIRE said.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for self-censorship
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Charlie Campbell, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
The 311 Notre Dame students surveyed reflected a noticeable drop in political tolerance and an increase in self-censorship, FIRE said.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
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
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
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 16 Sep. 2025.
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