prior restraint

noun

1. a court order banning publication of unpublished material.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prior restraint¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“With respect to this type of regulation that is a prior restraint on speech, what was the first example of that?” he asked.

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“At this stage, where little evidence has been offered, the latter would constitute an unconstitutional prior restraint of political activity that may or may not prove to be lawful.”

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This amounts to prior restraint, an unconstitutional quashing of free speech before a violation has occurred, they ruled.

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“Completely shocked and horrified” when the documentary’s trailer dropped Feb. 2, Morrissey said she attempted to halt its release, but an appellate judge denied her restraining order request as impermissible prior restraint.

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Normally, such “prior restraint” on the speech of a political group is allowed only under “extraordinary” circumstances.

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