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
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
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
-
The production wears its metaphors lightly with a wink and a purr.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
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What about forests, given my fondness for tree metaphors?—
Elena Megalos,
Longreads,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If seed phrases for crypto wallets are exposed, attackers could drain funds permanently.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2026
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Learning basic phrases and customs can help travelers engage meaningfully and respectfully in Portugal.—
Stacey Leasca,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Be willing to ask others what works for them, because harmony grows when everyone understands the terms.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The higher the score, the better the terms of the loan, particularly the interest rate.—
Lew Sichelman,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemisms. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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