Thesaurus results for BLUE-PENCIL

blue-pencil

verb

ˈblü-ˈpen(t)-səl

Definition of blue-pencil

as in to delete

to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it military censors blue-penciled any remarks that could possibly be deemed critical

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of blue-pencil Before getting sunk by a turgid love story — the kind of cinematic dead zone Thalberg would have blue-penciled in the screenplay stage — The Last Tycoon provides a good sense of what a producer actually does. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for blue-pencil

Verb

The announcement was flooded with critiques and the Mets’ post announcing the partnership on X was deleted and reposted multiple times.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2026
The post was later deleted, and Val apologized to Inaba publicly and privately.

— Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of delete

Verb

Classes, activities and athletic events across Bend-La Pine Schools are canceled tomorrow, the district announced.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026
Ossoff last year also pressed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin for canceling public health and environmental grants.

— Maydeen Merino, The Washington Examiner, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of cancel

Browse Nearby Words

bluenoses

blue-pencil

blue-penciled

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“Blue-pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blue-pencil. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of blue-pencil

verb

Example Sentences

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