“Censored” is an adjective that describes something that has had parts removed, suppressed, or restricted, usually for moral, political, or security reasons. Here are some synonyms and their analyses:
1. Expurgated
- Meaning: “Expurgated” means to have had offensive, immoral, or otherwise objectionable material removed. It is often used in the context of literature, where certain passages might be expurgated to make the work more suitable for a particular audience. For example, an expurgated version of a classic novel might have had sexual or violent content removed. In comparison to “censored,” “expurgated” has a more specific focus on the removal of content that is considered improper or offensive.
- Example: “The expurgated edition of the play was used in high - school classrooms to avoid any potentially controversial topics.”
2. Bowdlerized
- Meaning: “Bowdlerize” (and its past - participle form “bowdlerized”) means to censor or edit a text in a prudish or over - sensitive way, usually to remove elements that are considered immoral or indelicate. The term comes from the name of Thomas Bowdler, who was known for his expurgated versions of Shakespeare's works. It implies a rather extreme or excessive form of censorship, often with the intention of making something more “wholesome.”
- Example: “The bowdlerized movie adaptation of the novel left out many of the original's darker themes to appeal to a wider family audience.”
3. Sanitized
- Meaning: “Sanitized” means to have been made clean or free from something considered harmful, offensive, or unwholesome. In the context of information, it implies that any elements that could cause discomfort, such as graphic details, strong language, or controversial ideas, have been removed. For example, a sanitized news report might omit details of a violent crime that could be too disturbing for the general public. It has a sense of making something more “palatable” through censorship.
- Example: “The sanitized version of the war story focused more on the heroic deeds and less on the gruesome realities of combat.”
4. Redacted
- Meaning: “Redacted” is often used in a legal or official context. It means to edit or censor a document by blacking out or removing sensitive information such as classified details, personal data, or trade secrets. For example, a government report might be redacted to protect national security. In contrast to other synonyms, “redacted” is more closely associated with the removal of specific types of information for security or privacy reasons.
- Example: “The redacted emails revealed only the non - sensitive parts of the communication between the parties.”