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
In other words, will leaders feel a need to practice more self-censorship to refrain from saying anything that others could interpret as being offensive?
—Liz Guthridge, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
And on social media platforms, censorship extends to self-censorship, as users restrict their own speech out of fear of reprisal.
—Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 18 Sep. 2024
An American think tank expert described numerous examples of censorship and self-censorship at prominent US institutions.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 22 May 2024
To mollify the Russians, the Finns also practiced self-censorship on a sweeping scale.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-censorship 
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Liz Guthridge, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
And on social media platforms, censorship extends to self-censorship, as users restrict their own speech out of fear of reprisal.
—Majd Al-Waheidi, NPR, 18 Sep. 2024
An American think tank expert described numerous examples of censorship and self-censorship at prominent US institutions.
—Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 22 May 2024
To mollify the Russians, the Finns also practiced self-censorship on a sweeping scale.
—Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-censorship
Dictionary Entries Near self-censorship
Cite this Entry
“Self-censorship.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-censorship. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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