as in deleting
to make changes to (something written) so as to remove or obscure information
Because the victims were minors, their full names were redacted from public court records. The declassified documents were heavily redacted before they were released.
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Recent Examples of redacting
The files her department eventually released also revealed victims’ names and personal information, while redacting details not eligible to be hidden from the public under the law.
—
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Justice Department officials have slow-walked the release by redacting and withholding records, further dragging it out.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
The department has faced scrutiny for redacting the names of certain individuals, including nonvictims.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Democrats have accused the Justice Department of redacting information that should have been made public, including information that could lead to scrutiny of Epstein’s associates.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Some observers have accused the department of over-redacting the files, while some attorneys for Epstein survivors say the department failed to properly redact their clients' names before publishing the files to a government database.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Be thoughtful about sensitive items Consider redacting highly sensitive data (like customer-specific pricing) when appropriate, and carefully manage access to the most confidential folders.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Marshall ruled that the public’s legal right to know meant the government could still release the photos, but not without reviewing and redacting certain scenes and images.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Justice Department officials have slow-walked the release by redacting and withholding records, further dragging it out.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2026
The department has faced scrutiny for redacting the names of certain individuals, including nonvictims.
—David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 15 Feb. 2026
Emotions were hot during a House Judiciary Committee hearing this past week where Bondi was assailed by lawmakers from both sides of the aisle, who accused the Justice Department of redacting the names of multiple men for political reasons.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Democrats have accused the Justice Department of redacting information that should have been made public, including information that could lead to scrutiny of Epstein’s associates.
—Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
Some observers have accused the department of over-redacting the files, while some attorneys for Epstein survivors say the department failed to properly redact their clients' names before publishing the files to a government database.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 11 Feb. 2026
Be thoughtful about sensitive items Consider redacting highly sensitive data (like customer-specific pricing) when appropriate, and carefully manage access to the most confidential folders.
—Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Marshall ruled that the public’s legal right to know meant the government could still release the photos, but not without reviewing and redacting certain scenes and images.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for redacting
Verb
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Robinson, 86, has separate claims pending against the accusers for allegedly deleting evidence and stealing personal property.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
23 Apr. 2026
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Because moderation is very specific to the style, scope, and size of the host of the debate, models of moderation can involve professional moderators (who may even intervene or respond to comments, instead of only deleting) or volunteer moderators.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Many Christian nationalists believe in erasing the boundaries between church and state, Andrew Whitehead, a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis, previously told USA TODAY.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
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The first is a stretch of the second quarter, when the Wolves were erasing a 19-point deficit.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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This would be achieved by making the flying experience less like an airplane and more like an automobile, including replacing mechanical control linkages with fly-by-wire systems, even removing the traditional rudder pedals.—
David Szondy
April 25,
New Atlas,
25 Apr. 2026
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Experts recommend removing outdated tags before each trip and using airline apps or tracking devices for better visibility.—
Joey Skladany,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Redacting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/redacting. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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