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
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
No, but my aesthetic judgment had given over to its vibes, that contemporary euphemism for ultra-processed atmosphere.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
But talking in euphemisms produced different results.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2025
To say that wasn't a euphemism is crazy.
—Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 4 Aug. 2025
No, but my aesthetic judgment had given over to its vibes, that contemporary euphemism for ultra-processed atmosphere.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
But talking in euphemisms produced different results.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
-
Create 5 different metaphors or analogies that would make this idea immediately clear to THIS specific client based on their background and references.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The Hollong tree, central to the film’s title, serves as a subtle metaphor.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Still, the phrase stems from a Roblox game, a platform that has been scrutinized for being unsafe for kids.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That became a phrase symbolic of a wider approach known as Willkommenskultur, or welcome culture.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN Money,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Like several quasi-independent regulatory agencies in the executive branch, the STB consists of five partisan board members with staggered five-year terms who oversee a staff.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Shi talked up Wolves’ transfer business and, in terms of raw numbers, his 90 per cent claim might not be too far off the mark.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share