euphemism

Definition of euphemismnext
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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of euphemism The Execution Crisis Defined Rasmus Holst, CEO of Zensai, describes it without euphemism. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 June 2026 Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics. — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026 The most expensive queries are throttled or downgraded, which is usually a euphemism for a degraded user experience. — Ben Gutkovich, Forbes.com, 21 May 2026 Later, in a moment of high anxiety when Rafael is catching a beating, Sebastián will run to the bathroom to play his trumpet (not just a euphemism). — Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 21 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
  • Most composers settle for metaphor when conveying the elements.
    — Shauna Lyon, New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The room went still, and nobody asked him to explain the metaphor.
    — Amanda Connelly, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Each cookie is aptly named with a phrase or word that’s related to baseball, like the sluggers sourdough, a version of a chocolate chip cookie that Amber makes with sourdough and brown butter and is topped with flaky sea salt.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The flash cards also include additional phrases to help learners understand how words are used in everyday conversation.
    — Conor McGill, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Noun
  • Daniel Zingale worked for Newsom as a senior advisor in the governor’s office at the start of his first term.
    — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president Friday to serve out the term, which ends in August 2028.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster