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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Recent Examples of euphemism
When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era.
—
Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Early critics have called it ‘compassionate,’ which might sound like a euphemism for treacly or didactic.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of the suspects try to minimize their actions with euphemisms or paraphrases; others do so with explanations that the prosecutors find utterly implausible.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader.
—Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026
Early critics have called it ‘compassionate,’ which might sound like a euphemism for treacly or didactic.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2026
Some of the suspects try to minimize their actions with euphemisms or paraphrases; others do so with explanations that the prosecutors find utterly implausible.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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The harvest field is a metaphor in the Bible which speaks to people’s openness to the Gospel.—
Michael Luo,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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This metaphor also suggests that the fat body is not valid, but instead is the lingering residue of a problem that needs to be solved.—
Virgie Tovar,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Noun
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The phrase is commonly used in restaurant kitchens and originated at soda counters in the 1930s, according to the dictionary.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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As part of our Language of Soccer World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to supporters of all 48 nations competing at the 2026 edition to capture their unique football culture, distilled into a single phrase.—
Greg O'Keeffe,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
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User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.—
Christopher Harris,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
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Trump tore that deal up during his first term.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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