Synonyms

redact

American

[ri-dakt] / rɪˈdækt /

verb (used with object)

to put into suitable literary form; revise; edit.
to draw up or frame (a statement, proclamation, etc.).
to edit (text) so as to remove or hide confidential or sensitive information.

His account number has been redacted from the top of the statement.

redact British

/ rɪˈdækt /

verb

to compose or draft (an edict, proclamation, etc)
to put (a literary work, etc) into appropriate form for publication; edit

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of redact

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin redāctus (past participle of redigere “to lead back”), equivalent to red- red- + āctus, past participle of agere “to drive, move, lead”; see act

Explanation

To redact is to arrange or edit text in a written document. Don't get too attached to every word in your rough draft; your teacher will expect you to redact it before handing in your final paper. Redact refers to any kind revising or editing that makes a document better, usually for publication. When you see the prefix re-, you know the word is going to refer to something either being done again or retracted. You can think of redact as redoing writing or taking back some of what was originally said. You'll often see the word redact being used with the prepositions in or into. You might take several documents and redact them into a single one.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The department has come under fire for its handling of the process, including failing to initially redact the names of dozens of victims and not initially releasing some FBI documents that referenced allegations against Trump.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

While your mother’s bank may decide to redact certain sensitive transaction details, it cannot refuse to disclose all accounting.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

According to a report by the Washington Post, Patel has directed agents in the bureau’s San Francisco office to redact the case files for public release.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

Massie has also criticized the DOJ, which he says “has failed to properly redact victims’ information while simultaneously succeeding in avoiding the disclosure of incriminated individuals,” in a statement to Salon.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2026

"The Rédacteur vill not redact long, hein?" he said presently.

From Children of the Ghetto A Study of a Peculiar People by Zangwill, Israel

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023