as in metaphor
a mild or pleasant word group of words that is used instead of one that is unpleasant or offensive
using "eliminate" as a euphemism for "kill" She spoke in euphemisms when recounting the expletive-laden tirade.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of euphemism
The Afghanistan Experience Using the euphemism for its aggression in Ukraine, the Kremlin has launched initiatives over the last two years called the Association of the Special Military Operation (SVO) and the SVO Military Brotherhood.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
That euphemism for prostitution represents a change in cultural standards, some would say the degradation of traditional ethics about women and men and social roles.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
The phrase is typically a euphemism for leaving discreetly, often to use the restroom.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
After sixteen months of watching a genocide happen in real time—with more-or-less total support from Western governments, despite the euphemisms and justifications skillfully woven by headlines and political speeches—the contradiction is becoming harder to ignore.
—Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
That euphemism for prostitution represents a change in cultural standards, some would say the degradation of traditional ethics about women and men and social roles.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
The phrase is typically a euphemism for leaving discreetly, often to use the restroom.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
After sixteen months of watching a genocide happen in real time—with more-or-less total support from Western governments, despite the euphemisms and justifications skillfully woven by headlines and political speeches—the contradiction is becoming harder to ignore.
—Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
-
Without that essential kernel of referentiality, there can be no metaphor at all.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
-
As for Bayern, today’s result against RB Leipzig was a good metaphor for the Rekordmeister’s season.—
Manuel Veth,
Forbes.com,
3 May 2025
Noun
-
Click on the image and get redirected to a phishing page that prompts for the wallet seed phrase.—
Davey Winder,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Wallen started selling merchandise using the phrase within 48 hours of the post.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
12 May 2025
Noun
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The jury was instructed to consider a prison term of five to 99 years or life.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 May 2025
-
Joel Edgerton, who stars as the boys’ generous but out-of-his-depth coach in terms of dealing with unruly and toxic boys, initially received the script from Polinger’s agent and wanted to direct it.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
Noun
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But the nature of all idioms is that their meaning cannot be deduced from their components; the phrase kicked the bucket does not put the English speaker in the mind of an actual bucket, just as the word death does not remind him terribly of the letter D.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
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Best known as a savvy drummer deeply versed in a broad swath of pre-World War II idioms like ragtime, Delta blues, and swing, Devine is at home surrounded by the artifacts and ephemera that captured the sounds and spirit of that era.—
Andrew Gilbert,
Mercury News,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 20 May. 2025.
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