censored

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "censored" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe someone who has had their speech deliberately restricted in some way, such as when a political figure has had a comment of theirs removed from public discourse. For example, "The politician had their comment in the newspaper censored for being deemed too controversial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was amused to discover that the book had been censored, possibly self-censored.

The Economist

In research by online magazine Spiked, 80% of universities are shown, as a result of their official policies and actions, to have either restricted or actively censored free speech and expression on campus beyond the requirements of the law.

The Guardian

However, this does not and should not end in a process where those who oppose that historic compromise are shut out from the debate or censored out of existence.

The Guardian

Its nude body-scanner may have been censored, but this remains an important – and a compellingly playable – game.

The Guardian - Tech

Through his career, he had censored himself so as to maintain access to his country.

The Guardian

Political competition is nonexistent, much of the opposition has been driven abroad or imprisoned, the internet and media are heavily censored and reports of arbitrary imprisonment and torture are frequent.

The Guardian

A long list of games are banned or censored for the Australian market, as a result of more stringent classifications.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What's worrying is we seem to have moved away from a clear ideological divide to an apolitical calculation as to who should be censored, because of a wider judgment based purely on the potential to upset and offend," says Tom Slater, assistant editor at Spiked and co-ordinator of the project.

The Guardian

By contrast, 51% of student unions have actively censored certain types of speech or instituted bans.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

When censors at Sina Weibo noticed a flood of posts on a censored New Year's Day editorial at Southern Weekly, a newspaper, they waited a few minutes before deleting them.

The Economist

The report was accompanied by 120 sometimes-censored Whitehall papers leading up to the controversial release of Megrahi on compassionate grounds in August 2009.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "redacted" or "suppressed" for nuanced meanings, depending on whether you want to emphasize legal restrictions or active prevention of information.

Common error

Avoid using "censored" as a generic term for any form of content removal. Be specific about the reason for the removal, such as legal requirements, editorial choices, or political motivations to maintain precision and avoid misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The term "censored" primarily functions as an adjective, describing something that has been subjected to censorship. Based on Ludwig, its function revolves around indicating that content has been deliberately altered or suppressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "censored" functions primarily as an adjective used to describe content that has been deliberately altered or removed, often for political, moral, or security reasons. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media, and, while its register is generally neutral to formal, the specific context determines its formality level. Remember, while other related terms may exist they are not interchangeable and therefore you may prefer alternatives to describe accurately what you mean in the context. This term should be used when you want to precisely denote the action of censorship, adding nuance and depth to your writing by detailing its motivations and actors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expurgated

Focuses on the removal of objectionable material, emphasizing refinement.

redacted

Emphasizes the removal of sensitive information, often for legal or security reasons.

suppressed

Highlights the act of preventing information from being known or expressed.

bowdlerized

Specifically refers to the removal of content considered indecent or offensive, often in literary works.

filtered

Suggests a process where unwanted elements are removed, often used in the context of internet content.

restricted

Indicates that access or dissemination of information is limited.

edited

A broad term indicating changes or removals, but not necessarily for censorship purposes.

muted

Suggests that a voice or message has been quieted or softened.

withheld

Highlights the act of keeping information secret or unavailable.

blacked out

Describes information that has been visually obscured, often with black marks.

FAQs

How can I use "censored" in a sentence?

You can use "censored" to describe content that has been altered or removed, such as, "The film was heavily "censored" to meet broadcast standards".

What are some alternatives to the word "censored"?

Depending on the context, you might use words like "redacted", "suppressed", or "expurgated" to convey the idea of information being restricted or altered.

What is the difference between "censored" and "edited"?

"Edited" generally refers to making changes to improve clarity or correctness, while "censored" implies the removal or alteration of content due to political, moral, or security reasons. Therefore you may prefer phrases such as "edited for content".

In what situations is something likely to be "censored"?

Content is often "censored" in situations involving political sensitivity, national security, or moral objections, where authorities or organizations seek to control the information being disseminated. For example, "The government "censored" the news reports to prevent panic".