"Censor" = to suppress or examine content to remove what is inappropriate; "censure" = to formally condemn or criticize harshly.
Verb: to examine books, films, news, or communications and suppress parts considered inappropriate, offensive, or dangerous. Noun: the person who performs that function. "The government censored the news broadcast" = the government edited the news (removed parts). Censorship can be official or cultural.
The military censored all letters leaving the camp to prevent sensitive information from reaching the enemy.
Several scenes were censored before the film could be shown in the more conservative markets.
Critics argue that filtering algorithms effectively censor speech without any official government involvement.
Verb: to criticize or condemn harshly and formally. Noun: a formal condemnation or harsh criticism, especially by an official body. "The Senate censured the senator" = the Senate formally condemned the senator (voted to officially reprimand them). Legislative censure does not silence someone — it is an official reprimand that goes on the record.
The committee voted to censure the member for conduct unbecoming of the organization.
She faced widespread censure from her colleagues after the details of her financial dealings were made public.
The resolution to censure the ambassador passed with a large majority, sending a clear diplomatic message.
Common mistake
The confusion is both spelling and meaning. CENSOR = to suppress, remove content (take parts out). CENSURE = to condemn, criticize harshly (does not silence or remove anything — it is only a reprimand). "The senator was censored" (sometimes used incorrectly) should be "censured" if you mean they were formally reprimanded. "Censored" would mean someone edited or removed parts of their speeches or communications. The distinction is legally important: one letter difference, but two completely different consequences.
Trick to remember it
CenSOR ends in "-or" like many agent nouns (actor, doctor, senator) — the CENSOR is the person or entity that removes content. CenSURE ends in "-ure" like "measure" or "pressure" — the CENSURE is formal PRESSURE (condemnation). Quick meaning test: does someone lose their content or communication? Use CENSOR. Does someone lose their reputation or receive a formal reprimand? Use CENSURE.
Quick rule
Censor = to suppress or remove content (or the person who does it). Censure = to formally condemn, to criticize harshly (without removing content).
Did you know?
In the United States Senate, "censure" is a formal sanction that the Senate can impose on one of its members for inappropriate conduct. It is less severe than expulsion but more serious than a simple reprimand. Only two U.S. senators have been censured: Thomas Dodd in 1967 and Bob Packwood in 1995, who resigned before the vote was taken. In the House of Representatives, the equivalent process is also called "censure", and the member must be present when the condemnation is read aloud.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The broadcast was heavily _____, with several minutes of content removed before it was allowed to air.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The board voted unanimously to _____ the director for misleading investors about the company's financial health.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Censor = to suppress or remove content (or the person who does it). Censure = to formally condemn, to criticize harshly (without removing content).
The confusion is both spelling and meaning. CENSOR = to suppress, remove content (take parts out). CENSURE = to condemn, criticize harshly (does not silence or remove anything — it is only a reprimand). "The senator was censored" (sometimes used incorrectly) should be "censured" if you mean they were formally reprimanded. "Censored" would mean someone edited or removed parts of their speeches or communications. The distinction is legally important: one letter difference, but two completely different consequences.
CenSOR ends in "-or" like many agent nouns (actor, doctor, senator) — the CENSOR is the person or entity that removes content. CenSURE ends in "-ure" like "measure" or "pressure" — the CENSURE is formal PRESSURE (condemnation). Quick meaning test: does someone lose their content or communication? Use CENSOR. Does someone lose their reputation or receive a formal reprimand? Use CENSURE.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy