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.
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 euphemisms
Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics.
—
Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Discussing why people use euphemisms online prepares children to pause and ask questions when unfamiliar terms appear.
—Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026
Discussing why people use euphemisms online prepares children to pause and ask questions when unfamiliar terms appear.
—Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemisms
Noun
-
Both plays are loopy extended metaphors, turning a funhouse mirror on the mundanities of everyday existential struggle.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
14 June 2026
-
Pinney’s fantasies and visual metaphors are sometimes more poignant in concept than in execution, and a theme of Ray’s crude racist impulses is baldly inserted but left undeveloped.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Interrogative phrases appeared in 26% of episodes.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
There are five phrases that the most charismatic people use over and over again.—
Vanessa Van Edwards,
CNBC,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than negotiations, the terms were dictated to Germany.—
Pamela Avila,
CNN Money,
18 June 2026
-
While conditions aren’t favorable for Arthur to become a truly powerful storm in terms of wind speed, it’s still expected to bring a dangerous amount of rain to several states.—
Alex Harris,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemisms. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
