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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it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
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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
Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 20 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blue-pencil
Verb
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Megan later deleted the clip, but the video had already made its rounds online.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
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In a scathing rant on X (which has since been deleted), Musk criticized the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein records.—
Meredith Kile,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Twenty-four flights have been canceled at DIA as of 4:30 p.m. A ground delay has been issued at DIA from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
8 July 2025
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On June 18, the Princess of Wales canceled her appearance at Royal Ascot at the last minute.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Blue-pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blue-pencil. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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