Censor and censure sound similar, but they do very different jobs.
Censor is a verb that means to suppress, edit, or remove material considered offensive, sensitive, or unacceptable. It is often used for books, films, news, and online content.
Example: The broadcaster censored the song on daytime radio.
Censure is usually a verb that means to express strong disapproval. It can also be a noun meaning formal criticism, especially in official or political settings.
Example: The committee censured the member for breaking ethics rules.
- Use censor when something is blocked, cut, or hidden from view.
- Use censure when a person or group is condemned or officially rebuked.
A simple memory tip helps: censor deals with content, while censure deals with criticism. If someone removes words from a report, they censor it. If a board formally condemns an official, it censures that person.