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

The manipulation, the abuse of institutional power, the self-censorship across the media—everything that the whole Orbán system has been built on over the past sixteen years. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

The Mutual decision encouraged the spread of state and local film censorship boards and helped drive Hollywood to adopt its own scheme of self-censorship, the Motion Picture Production Code of 1930, popularly known as the Hays Code. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Apr. 2026

The second-term pressure on media companies has led to concerns not just about capitulation by corporate bosses but also self-censorship at news organizations. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 23 Apr. 2026

Free speech and self-censorship drew equally sharp scrutiny. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Apr. 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