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Muzzle

(pronounced muz-ul)  verb

Definition

1. to put a muzzle on (an animal). 2. to restrain or prevent someone from speaking or expressing their opinion freely; limit or restrict; circumscribe; gag.

Main Example

• There was an alarming statistic revealed by Vice President Biden just the other day: One in every five female students is sexually assaulted during her college years. But, regretfully, only a tiny percentage of the perpetrators are ever brought to justice. Among the many reasons why rape victims do not come forward and press charges: campus authorities, eager that their institution’s image not get sullied, somehow muzzle the victims into not going public.

Workplace Examples

• It appears several of the marketing team do not favor using print ads to promote the new line of snacks, but they are afraid to openly state their misgivings. Looks like they’ve been muzzled by their department manager, Pat, who is very gung ho about using print media even though it didn’t produce results the last time.
• Henry has a history of off-color jokes and obtuse comments at office parties, especially when he’s had one too many drinks. I’m told that a couple of his buddies are determined to keep his mouth muzzled tomorrow night at the team happy hour. I’m curious how they’ll accomplish that.

Other Examples

• this author saying in a speech: “With increasing frequency, leading scientists from around the world are issuing grimmer and grimmer reports on climate change and how the future of our children and grandchildren is being mortgaged. Yet, fewer than a dozen voices in all of Congress are vociferously demanding a tough new regimen to counter greenhouse gases. Who or what is muzzling the remaining 500-plus lawmakers? Is it campaign contributions from coal and other industries whose oxen would be gored if tougher limits were imposed on carbon emissions?”
• after learning that “Consumer Reports” was about to publish a negative review for one of its new cars, an auto manufacturer trying to muzzle the highly regarded magazine by threatening a lawsuit
• the Chinese government muzzling dissidents by imprisoning some of the prominent ones; some nations muzzling access to websites that host articles unfavorable to their governments; to fight obesity, schools trying to muzzle access to unhealthy snacks and high-calorie soft drinks; a city passing new laws to muzzle the availability of tobacco products to minors
• the ongoing trial of some Al Jazeera journalists in Cairo on trumped-up charges being an example of the Egyptian government’s efforts to muzzle the press

© 2014 V.J. Singal
No part of this may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.