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
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
Most memorable in Monterey Pop is Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze (not a euphemism) and the Who smashing their instruments.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
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
Most memorable in Monterey Pop is Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze (not a euphemism) and the Who smashing their instruments.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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Over the course of Gregory Orr’s long career, his poems have become increasingly incantatory, more and more like chants or psalms, repeating, reformulating, reaching for the edges of the same rich metaphors.—
Craig Morgan Teicher,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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In many ways, SpaceX's Starship rocket is a metaphor for the company as a whole.—
David Szondy
May 31,
New Atlas,
31 May 2026
Noun
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The phrase is everywhere in international relations circles, but the explanation is almost nowhere.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
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In the Obama Presidential Center Museum, the story of America is that of a nation striving to become a more perfect union, a phrase Obama returned to often in his speeches.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Noun
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Despite those actions, the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint project from Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia that analyzes items moving through Congress, ranked DeGette as below average in effectiveness in eight of 14 terms analyzed.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
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In those terms, the Kennedys have endured more than their share.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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