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
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.
—
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Everything else is a euphemism for old fashioned domination that the region has spent generations trying to escape.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
In a year of cancellations and euphemisms, the city mounted a counterprogram that was quietly insurrectionary, stubbornly joyous.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
And even ages 8 to 10 should be OK, depending on your thoughts about PG romantic intimacy and use of clever euphemisms.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
Everything else is a euphemism for old fashioned domination that the region has spent generations trying to escape.
—Boris Muñoz, Time, 12 Jan. 2026
In a year of cancellations and euphemisms, the city mounted a counterprogram that was quietly insurrectionary, stubbornly joyous.
—The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
And even ages 8 to 10 should be OK, depending on your thoughts about PG romantic intimacy and use of clever euphemisms.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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Applied to a police chase, the metaphor means the officers who initiated the pursuit are responsible for its results.—
Gregory Royal Pratt,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Mar. 2026
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The shriek of mourning is not a metaphor but an ongoing condition the medium makes material.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
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To borrow a popular phrase from the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, the Galaxy survived and advanced.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
26 Feb. 2026
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Some ignited fireworks and others spoke from a bullhorn or spray-painted anti-ICE phrases on vehicles and an unoccupied guard booth.—
Emerson Clarridge
Updated February 26,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In terms of timing, there will likely not be a vote on the final bill text from the Senate this coming week, but there might be the following week, the Senate aide said.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
2 Mar. 2026
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The purpose is to foster humility, reduce a person’s anxiety by releasing their need for control and provide an external source of strength for long-term recovery.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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