gagging

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'gagging' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is most often used to describe a feeling of nausea or aversion. For example, "The smell of the garbage was so strong that it made me gag."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Critics say: It's gagging free speech Labour says: Since August 157 demonstrations have been held.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ireland's leading media owner and one of the country's richest men has been accused of gagging free speech and even parliamentary privilege over his attempt to silence members of the Dáil raising issues about his finances.

The Guardian

Many voluntary groups and trade unions have been campaigning against the legislation, branding it the "gagging bill", because it would put new restrictions on how much they can spend while campaigning on political issues before an election.

The Guardian

My teenage years were largely spent gagging on waxy, watery, bile-tasting brews dug out of strangers' parents' drinks cabinets at 2am as a last resort to liven up terrible house parties.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While individuals might be wary of any advice or technology coming from the minds of ex-intelligence officials, businesses are gagging for it.

The Guardian - Tech

While not seeking to impose a democratic centralist gagging order on Maginnis, Nesbitt has already sought to distance his party from the remarks.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The government gagged debate on Tuesday in the lower house on the two social security bills, which introduce 20 welfare measures, in a bid to push them through the new Senate next month.

The Guardian

To apply that idea universally would gag any kind of non-conforming expression and offer support for those extremists who, such as the killers in Paris, believe they are right to murder opponents or to issue fatwas against those who don't believe as they do.

The Guardian

He pointed out that while RTÉ and the Irish Times had been gagged, Murphy's comments were published verbatim by the Guardian and Irish website Broadsheet.ie and available on the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) website.

The Guardian

Second, the balance of powers: the NSA is overseen by a secret court and gagged legislators.

The Guardian - Opinion

Atopia is only now free to make its claims, having been gagged by a restrictive non-disclosure agreement since 2007 that prevented all companies from promoting any work related to the Olympics.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gagging" in the context of free speech, ensure that the subject is actively preventing expression, not merely disagreeing with it.

Common error

Avoid using "gagging" to describe simply disliking something; reserve it for scenarios involving active suppression or physical nausea.

Linguistic Context

Gagging functions primarily as a verb, often in its present participle form, indicating an ongoing action of suppressing speech or causing a choking sensation. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it describes both literal and figurative actions of restriction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "gagging" is commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig, to describe both the act of suppressing speech and the physical sensation of choking or retching. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is grammatically correct and usable. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, often related to discussions of censorship or restrictions on freedom of expression. While versatile, writers should be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear, avoiding confusion between physical and figurative uses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

silencing voices

Highlights the act of preventing people from expressing their opinions.

suppressing speech

Focuses on the act of preventing someone from speaking freely.

muzzling expression

Focuses on restricting the freedom of expression.

stifling dissent

Emphasizes the act of quelling opposition or disagreement.

restricting information

Highlights the act of limiting access to information.

quashing debate

Focuses on stopping a discussion or argument.

retracting statements

Highlights the act of withdrawing or taking back something that was said.

choking back vomit

Describes the physical act of trying not to vomit.

stomach churning

Describes a feeling of nausea.

vomiting

Describes the physical action of ejecting stomach contents.

FAQs

How is "gagging" used in the context of free speech?

"Gagging" in the context of free speech refers to actions that actively suppress or prevent expression. For example, a "gagging order" is a legal directive restricting someone from speaking about a particular matter.

What is a more formal alternative to "gagging" in legal contexts?

In formal legal contexts, alternatives like "suppressing information", "restricting disclosure", or "enjoining speech" may be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "gagging" to describe a physical reaction?

"Gagging" can describe a physical reaction when someone is on the verge of vomiting or experiencing a strong feeling of nausea. For example, "The smell was so awful it made me gag."

What are some related phrases for "gagging" in the sense of censorship?

Related phrases include "stifling dissent", "silencing voices", and "muzzling expression", all of which imply some form of censorship or suppression of speech.