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Censor, Sensor, and Censure

The Difference between Censor, Sensor, and Censure

homesitemapA-Z confused words censor, sensor, and censure
The words "censor" and "sensor" are easy to confuse because they sound identical, but they have completely different meanings. The word "censure" (which is quite rare) is also sometimes confused with "censor."
  • A "censor" is a person who removes content deemed inappropriate or offensive. It can also be a verb ("to censor"). For example:
    • The censor removed all the violent scenes. correct tick
    • (In this example, "censor" is a noun. It is a person.)
    • We seem okay with violence, but nudity we race to criticize and censor. (Actress Eva Mendes) correct tick
    • (Here, "censor" is a verb.)
  • A "sensor" is a detector. For example:
    • The motion sensor turns on the lights if it detects movement. correct tick
    • The answer to crime is yet another national employment program. It is better cameras, sensors, and locks. correct tick (Writer Evgeny Morozov)
  • "Censure" is displeasure. For example:
    • He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius. correct tick (Politician and writer William Gilmore Simms) correct tick
censor, sensor, and censure explained

More about "Censor," "Sensor," "Censure"

Writers sometimes confuse "censor" and "sensor." Even though they sound identical, their meanings are quite different (i.e., they're homonyms). As "censure" sounds similar, we've included it on this page, but errors involving "censure" are far rarer than with "censor" and "sensor."

Censor

The verb "to censor" means "to forbid public distribution of something" (usually a film or a newspaper). It can also be a noun that refers to a person who censors.

Here are two example sentences with "censor" as a verb:

  • How did that statement end up on the streets? I censored the article myself. correct tick
  • Thanks to television, for the first time the young are seeing history made before it is censored by their elders. correct tick (Author Margaret Mead)

Here are two example sentences with "censor" as a noun:

  • The censor reviewed the film and removed all scenes with young people carrying knives. correct tick
  • In prison, a censor examines the prisoners' letters to ensure no escape plans are being discussed. correct tick
The noun "censorship" comes from "censor."

Sensor

The noun "sensor" means a detector of a stimulus (such as heat, light, motion, pressure).

Here are two example sentences with "sensor":

  • The light is fitted with an infrared sensor that detects body heat. correct tick
  • There is a shirt company making sensors that go into your clothing. They will watch how you sit, run, or ski and give data on that information. correct tick (Blogger Robert Scoble)

Censure

The noun "censure" means a formal rebuke or official displeasure.

Example are two example sentences with "censure":

  • He has received two letters of censure from the commandant. correct tick
  • The readiest and surest way to get rid of censure is to correct ourselves. correct tick (Greek statesman Demosthenes)
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This page was written by Craig Shrives.

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