Why asterisks are used to censor words
An asterisk replaces letters so the reader can still recognise the word, while the writer avoids printing it in full. It's a compromise between saying it and not saying it.
Which letters to replace
The usual approach keeps the first letter, and sometimes the last, and replaces the vowels or the middle:
| Style | Example | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Replace one vowel | sh*t | Mild; the word is obvious |
| Keep the first letter only | f*** | Stronger; relies on context |
| Keep first and last | b***h | A middle ground |
| Replace every letter | **** | Strongest; only the length is a hint |
Newspapers and style guides set their own rules for this, and they vary a lot. Some print the word in full in direct quotes, some never do. If you write for a publication, follow its style guide.
Why asterisks and not other characters?
An asterisk is a neutral placeholder that clearly isn't a letter, sits at about letter height, and is on every keyboard. Dashes and underscores also work (f___), but they can look like blanks to fill in.
Grawlixes: @#$%&!
A string of random symbols, like @#$%&!, stands for an unspecified swear word. It's called a grawlix, a term coined by cartoonist Mort Walker, and it's common in comics. A grawlix hides the word entirely, so it's useful when you don't want to point at any specific word.
A practical warning
Asterisks don't fool modern content filters much. Many platforms check for common censored spellings too. And in apps that treat asterisks as formatting, like WhatsApp or Discord, two censored words in one message can turn the text between them bold or italic. Add a backslash before each asterisk, or use the heavy asterisk ✱ to avoid that.
Passwords and hidden numbers
The same idea shows up when a password field shows ******** or a card number shows as **** 4242. The asterisks confirm that something is there and how long it is, without revealing it.