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
And now Netanyahu announces a military takeover of Gaza City… which most informed commentators understand as a euphemism for the colonization of Gaza.
—
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Consumer welfare is a bit of a red herring, but it’s often used as a euphemism for less enforcement rather than more enforcement.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
To say that wasn't a euphemism is crazy.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
How responsible a mother can be for her son’s actions remains an open question, but the contortions of her denial, with its euphemisms and its illogic, are closely and relentlessly examined, as is her inability to speak or act to stop him.
—Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Walden Green, Pitchfork, 10 Aug. 2025
Consumer welfare is a bit of a red herring, but it’s often used as a euphemism for less enforcement rather than more enforcement.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
To say that wasn't a euphemism is crazy.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
How responsible a mother can be for her son’s actions remains an open question, but the contortions of her denial, with its euphemisms and its illogic, are closely and relentlessly examined, as is her inability to speak or act to stop him.
—Katie Kitamura, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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The metaphor of a bucket of cold water is inadequate.—
Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez,
The Dial,
16 Sep. 2025
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Stryker took aim at people who insisted on using the creature as a derogatory metaphor.—
Thomas Page McBee,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Yet the sudden ubiquity of this phrase also reveals the extraordinary pressure the young-adult generation feels to decipher a puzzle-like economy that barely rewards their best efforts.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
11 Sep. 2025
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The phrases were used across a range of merchandise like a Tiger Blood energy drink, a biographical comic book and other items, per the outlet.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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By integrating tariff data with sales performance, market trends, and regulatory frameworks, Rensi can pinpoint inefficiencies, detect policy misalignments, and recommend corrective actions—ranging from renegotiating supplier terms to adjusting pricing strategies.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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In his second term, states’ rights, once a rallying cry for conservatives, are under pressure.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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