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"Censor" = to suppress or examine content to remove what is inappropriate; "censure" = to formally condemn or criticize harshly.
Side-by-side comparison
"Censor" means to suppress or prohibit content considered inappropriate, dangerous, or indecent. Also the official who does this.
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.
"Censure" means to formally criticize or reprimand someone for their conduct. It is an official rebuke, not the suppression of content.
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 senator was censored" when referring to a formal reprimand is wrong: the formal condemnation is "censure".
- •"Censored" means someone suppressed or removed content.
- •One letter apart but two completely different consequences.
Trick to remember it
- •"CenSOR" ends in "-or" like "actor", "doctor", the censor is the person who removes content.
- •"CenSURE" ends in "-ure" like "pressure", "measure", the censure is formal pressure of condemnation.
Quick rule
- •"Censor" = to suppress or remove content (or the person who does it).
- •"Censure" = to formally condemn or criticize harshly (without removing any content).
Did you know?
In the United States Senate, "censure" is a formal sanction 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 US senators have been censured in modern history: Thomas Dodd in 1967 and Bob Packwood in 1995, who resigned before the vote was taken.
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The film was heavily _____ ed. Several scenes were cut before it could be shown.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
The coach was publicly _____ d for his behaviour towards the players.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Related word pairs
"Discrete" = separate, distinct, independent; "discreet" = careful and prudent, not revealing private information.
"Explicit" = stated directly and clearly, leaving nothing implied; "implicit" = understood or implied without being directly stated.
"Above" is at a higher level without contact; "over" implies covering, movement, or crossing.
'Currently' means 'at the present time'; 'actually' means 'in reality', not 'nowadays'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy