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
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 real cost of waiting The oxygen mask metaphor exists for a reason.
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While humans thrive on ambiguity, context, metaphor and inference, machines generally perform better when information is categorized, tagged, labeled and linked in ways that reduce uncertainty.
Noun
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The phrase was written in white paint with a star surrounded by a circle next to it.
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One of her Today colleagues even stitched the phrase onto a cushion for her.
Noun
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Mysaria is skeptical of the generous terms of surrender that Alicent sets to Rhaenyra.
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Researchers noted a decline in the mortality rate for infants born at full term, at 39 to 40 weeks.
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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