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gagging order (U.S. gag order)
noun phrase

- an order by a court that prevents people from talking or writing about a particular matter, especially about what is happening in a court case.

Oxford Learner's Dictionary

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WORD ORIGIN

To "gag" someone is literally to bind a cloth or rope around the mouth so that speaking is impossible.

A gagging order is a legal order by a court or government (although companies and institutions can issue them), restricting information or comment from being made public.

Gagging orders are often used against participants involved in a lawsuit or criminal trial. They also prevent the media from publishing unwanted information on a particular topic. A criminal court, for instance, will issue a gagging order on the media if the judge believes that potential jurors in a future trial will be influenced by the media reporting or by speculation on the early stages of a case.

Another example might be to ensure police are not impeded in their investigations by media publicity.

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SYNONYMS for gag:

choke, constrain, muffle, muzzle, suppress, curb, repress, restrain, squash, squelch, stifle, throttle, tongue-tie, keep (put) the lid on, shut down

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Practice OWAD in a conversation:

"We should apply A GAGGING ORDER until the acquisition plans have been finalised."

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Thanks to Volker for suggesting today's word!