redacted

USAGE SUMMARY

"redacted" is a valid word that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used when a document or text has information that is meant to be private or confidential, and therefore has been removed or blocked out. For example: "After the court order, the names of the witnesses were redacted from the police report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"(Redacted) might have the time to do it and I would think (redacted) would have all the necessary skills for the job".

Independent

In 2005 Holzer turned to reportage with the Redaction paintings, a series of silk-screened canvases of enlarged declassified and redacted government documents pertaining to wars past and present.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Still, in 2012, a JIEDDO senior official, whose name is redacted in the report seen by the Guardian, instructed the COIC to "collect information on US companies that did business with Fatima".

The Guardian

All recommendations were redacted but the report noted service providers were "limited in their ability to proactively address mental health issues, identify children at risk, determine if a threat is real and to respond appropriately".

The Guardian

The first 11 pages, which describe the government's allegations against al-Awlaki, are redacted in their entirety.

The Guardian - Opinion

They said 23 words of the 18 November 2012 message were redacted from the day's release of 296 emails, totaling 896 pages, to protect information that could damage foreign relations.

The Guardian

Think of the most obscure release from the most obscure artist you knew; it was there, on Oink, in every issue and reissue, including redacted promo copies and split seven-inch records and bonus tracks from Japanese pressings you'd never even heard of.

The Guardian - Books

A two-week-old version of the proposed regulation, seen by EurActiv, contains redacted passages calling for firmer action.

The Guardian

The 145 Indigenous communities and 58 regional towns visited in each state and territory were redacted, but the report said ACC investigators held more than 2,000 stakeholder meetings, 350 examinations and issued 476 notifications.

The Guardian

This is due to a recently amended policy under which if less than 10 instances of a specific incident is reported, the information is redacted.

The Guardian

Its submission outlined several personal case studies from asylum seeker children who had been affected by trauma – but each was redacted by the Senate committee.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "redacted" in formal writing, be specific about why the information was redacted and what criteria were used. This transparency helps maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that information is "redacted" without giving context. Briefly explain the reason for the redaction (e.g., "redacted to protect personal privacy") to provide clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The word "redacted" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that parts have been removed or obscured, typically for privacy or security reasons. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of usage in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "redacted" is a common adjective signifying that parts of a text or document have been removed, usually to protect sensitive information. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, encyclopedias, and science. While the term itself is straightforward, best practices suggest providing context as to why the redaction occurred. Common alternatives include "censored", "edited out", and "blacked out", each with slightly different connotations. As confirmed by Ludwig, understanding the subtle differences and proper usage of "redacted" ensures clarity and professionalism in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

censored

Implies that material has been examined and suppressed or deleted for being considered objectionable or harmful.

edited out

Focuses on the act of removing specific parts of a text or recording.

blacked out

Emphasizes the visual covering of text, often in official documents to hide sensitive information.

removed from the record

Highlights the official deletion of something from an official log or transcript.

expunged

Indicates complete and permanent removal, often used in legal contexts.

omitted

Suggests something has been left out, either intentionally or unintentionally.

excised

Implies cutting something out, typically a section of text.

deleted

A general term for removing something, often in digital contexts.

withheld

Indicates that information is intentionally kept secret or not provided.

obscured

Suggests that information has been made unclear or difficult to see or understand.

FAQs

How is "redacted" typically used in a sentence?

"Redacted" is usually used as an adjective to describe a document or text where sensitive information has been removed, for example, "The "redacted report" was released to the public".

What's the difference between "redacted" and "censored"?

"Redacted" typically refers to the removal of specific information, often to protect privacy or security, whereas "censored" usually implies a broader suppression of content deemed objectionable. Something "censored material" might be entirely blocked, not just partially removed like in redacted documents.

What can I say instead of "redacted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "edited out", "blacked out", or "omitted". The best choice depends on the reason and method of information removal.

Why are documents "redacted"?

Documents are "redacted" to protect sensitive information such as personal details, national security secrets, or proprietary business data. This ensures that some information remains confidential while still allowing the document to be shared.