as in metaphors
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 euphemisms
Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader.
—
Literary Hub, 27 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
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
Literary Hub, 27 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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemisms
Noun
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The lyrics string together repetitive and mostly generic metaphors comparing love to death and commitment to confinement.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
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There are metaphors aplenty to interpret in a thriller about a town that goes bonkers when 17 kids go missing in the middle of the night and everybody points to their teacher (Julia Garner).—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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While the first and last phrases are typewritten, fuego is handpainted in much larger, bright-red capital letters.—
Daniel R. Quiles,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
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The quilt Straughter is making for Woman Made Gallery includes more than 142 phrases inspired by gallery contributors.—
Susan DeGrane,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In practical terms, a fee-only planner has no financial incentive to steer you toward a particular annuity, insurance product, or investment fund.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, Kim left conditional room for talks with Washington, but only on Pyongyang’s terms.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemisms. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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