adjective

embargoed

/ɪmˈbɑːrɡoʊd/ · say it: im·BAR·gohd

held back from publication until a set time

In From the Front Page

In more detail

1. (adjective) kept secret or not allowed to be published or disclosed until a specific time

2. (verb) to officially prevent something from being published, broadcast, or made public until a certain date

Examples

1. The embargoed report will be released to the public next Monday.
2. The government embargoed the sensitive documents for five years.

How to use embargoed

Embargoed is commonly used in journalism, government, and public relations to indicate that information must not be shared before an official release date. As an adjective, it describes the restricted status; as a verb, it means to impose the restriction. The embargo is typically time-bound and applies to a specific disclosure moment.

Common phrases

embargoed information
embargoed document
embargoed report
lift the embargo
embargo expires

Synonyms

classified · suppressed · restricted · withheld · sealed

Opposites

published · released · disclosed

Word family

embargo (noun/verb) · embargoed (adjective/past participle)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'embargoed' with general secrecy; however, embargoed material has a specific future release date, whereas classified material may remain secret indefinitely.

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