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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of euphemism
Look at rumors, gossip, metaphors, euphemisms, folktales—all the means by which subordinate groups disguise their opposition.
—
Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
The Afghanistan Experience Using the euphemism for its aggression in Ukraine, the Kremlin has launched initiatives over the last two years called the Association of the Special Military Operation (SVO) and the SVO Military Brotherhood.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
That euphemism for prostitution represents a change in cultural standards, some would say the degradation of traditional ethics about women and men and social roles.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
The phrase is typically a euphemism for leaving discreetly, often to use the restroom.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Nikil Saval, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
The Afghanistan Experience Using the euphemism for its aggression in Ukraine, the Kremlin has launched initiatives over the last two years called the Association of the Special Military Operation (SVO) and the SVO Military Brotherhood.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
That euphemism for prostitution represents a change in cultural standards, some would say the degradation of traditional ethics about women and men and social roles.
—Armond White, National Review, 5 Mar. 2025
The phrase is typically a euphemism for leaving discreetly, often to use the restroom.
—Russel Honoré, Newsweek, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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In an era of horror mired in pathos and trauma metaphors, there’s a refreshing simplicity to movies that are just about finding new ways to turn people into goop.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
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The prison was both a historical set piece and a metaphor — symbolizing his emotional confinement.—
Victoria Bousis,
Rolling Stone,
22 May 2025
Noun
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That much of the act’s power can be destroyed by tweaking its definition of one phrase reveals its central weakness.—
Emma Marris,
The Atlantic,
25 May 2025
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The impetus to travel overland to Afghanistan at 19 came from a need — for want of a better phrase — to discover something within myself, not to discover Afghanistan.—
Sean Woods,
Rolling Stone,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Joel Edgerton, who stars as the boys’ generous but out-of-his-depth coach in terms of dealing with unruly and toxic boys, initially received the script from Polinger’s agent and wanted to direct it.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
15 May 2025
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The film has been compared to the recent comedy Death of a Unicorn in terms of general public awareness.—
Hugh McIntyre,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Powered by nine proprietary learning methods, the platform integrates real-time cultural signals - from memes and slang to idioms and ancient lore.—
Nell Derick Debevoise,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
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But the nature of all idioms is that their meaning cannot be deduced from their components; the phrase kicked the bucket does not put the English speaker in the mind of an actual bucket, just as the word death does not remind him terribly of the letter D.—
Andrea Long Chu,
Vulture,
6 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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