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to show (something written) to be no longer valid by drawing a cross over or a line through it military censors blue-penciled any remarks that could possibly be deemed critical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

Relevance

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 government said there were no indications that any data was altered or deleted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
Riley allegedly used his Samsung Galaxy S9 to access the camera system and delete the files, according to the criminal complaint.

— Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of delete

Verb

Owner Aliana Gurris said the state canceled the business' contract to serve Medicaid clients with no explanation.

— Larry Seward, CBS News, 31 July 2026
On June 5, 2025, roughly six months before the early signing period, Henderson canceled his official visit to Florida State.

— Sam Khan Jr, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of cancel

Browse Nearby Words

bluenoses

blue-pencil

blue-penciled

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Blue-pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blue-pencil. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of blue-pencil

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

élan

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes