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
Early critics have called it ‘compassionate,’ which might sound like a euphemism for treacly or didactic.
—
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 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
Most memorable in Monterey Pop is Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze (not a euphemism) and the Who smashing their instruments.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 20 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
Most memorable in Monterey Pop is Jimi Hendrix setting his guitar ablaze (not a euphemism) and the Who smashing their instruments.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
The gloves are off, the language is blunter, and the patience for euphemism is gone.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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Ethan spikes Giles’ drink and Giles wakes up the next morning as a giant Fyorl demon—a handy metaphor for his midlife crisis, per producer Douglas Petrie.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 June 2026
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Stankiewicz, 61, smirked at the fitting metaphor after the Trojans clinched their first NCAA super regional berth in 21 years.—
Jose de Jesus Ortiz,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The phrase is everywhere in international relations circles, but the explanation is almost nowhere.—
Andrew Latham,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
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In the Obama Presidential Center Museum, the story of America is that of a nation striving to become a more perfect union, a phrase Obama returned to often in his speeches.—
Tamara Keith,
NPR,
4 June 2026
Noun
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During the four-month primary campaign, Raman offered withering critiques of Bass’ first term, saying the mayor failed to act with urgency on homelessness, apartment construction, street repairs and the exodus of entertainment jobs from the region.—
Noah Goldberg,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
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Gonzales, a 43-year-old two-term state senator from Denver, has framed her candidacy in large part as a progressive critique and challenge to the Democratic Party’s more moderate standard-bearers, like Hickenlooper.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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