as in deleting
to make changes to (something written) so as to remove or obscure information
Because the victims were minors, their full names were redacted from public court records. The declassified documents were heavily redacted before they were released.
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Recent Examples of redacting
The department has faced scrutiny for redacting the names of certain individuals, including nonvictims.
—
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Democrats have accused the Justice Department of redacting information that should have been made public, including information that could lead to scrutiny of Epstein’s associates.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Some observers have accused the department of over-redacting the files, while some attorneys for Epstein survivors say the department failed to properly redact their clients' names before publishing the files to a government database.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Be thoughtful about sensitive items Consider redacting highly sensitive data (like customer-specific pricing) when appropriate, and carefully manage access to the most confidential folders.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Marshall ruled that the public’s legal right to know meant the government could still release the photos, but not without reviewing and redacting certain scenes and images.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Blanche added that the department has no intention of redacting or withholding material related to Trump, beyond what is strictly required by law, and repeatedly guaranteed that every mention and photograph of the president contained in the Epstein files will be released.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
Blanche and others alleged the process of redacting names to protect Epstein’s victims and other innocent people was too time-consuming to be able to unveil all of the documents at once.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Democrats have accused the Justice Department of redacting information that should have been made public, including information that could lead to scrutiny of Epstein’s associates.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Some observers have accused the department of over-redacting the files, while some attorneys for Epstein survivors say the department failed to properly redact their clients' names before publishing the files to a government database.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Be thoughtful about sensitive items Consider redacting highly sensitive data (like customer-specific pricing) when appropriate, and carefully manage access to the most confidential folders.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Marshall ruled that the public’s legal right to know meant the government could still release the photos, but not without reviewing and redacting certain scenes and images.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Blanche added that the department has no intention of redacting or withholding material related to Trump, beyond what is strictly required by law, and repeatedly guaranteed that every mention and photograph of the president contained in the Epstein files will be released.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2025
Blanche and others alleged the process of redacting names to protect Epstein’s victims and other innocent people was too time-consuming to be able to unveil all of the documents at once.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 20 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redacting
Verb
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Some users, like Stalter, are deleting their accounts and leaving the app altogether (though some have also had trouble deleting their accounts, Fiesler noted).—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
27 Jan. 2026
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The Tesla founder, 54, purchased the platform in October 2022, and there was a widespread movement afterwards of stars voicing their opposition to his takeover and deleting their accounts.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That has led, in part, to some talk of a salary cap and a potential lockout perhaps erasing the entire 2027 season.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Similarly, footage showing federal agents killing Alex Pretti revealed the ICU nurse was holding a phone in his right hand, and an officer removing a gun from his back waistband before the shooting.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
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In an effort to save Cathy, doctors place leeches over her body in hopes of removing the bad blood.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Redacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redacting. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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