as in to soften
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Recent Examples of euphemize
To translate Holocaust literature at a moment when genocide is not only a historical category but an active legal accusation exposes translators, editors, and institutions alike to pressures to contain, displace, or euphemize violence.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Better offers an insightful, vital portrait of suicide that makes no attempt to euphemize or diminish its subject.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Those words euphemize a cascade of traumas that have befallen higher education since Inauguration Day.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Later, their sad parts were endlessly euphemized until they could be mistaken for happy endings.
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
Why euphemize?
—oregonlive, 10 Dec. 2021
And if a real crisis happens, as with Central Americans flooding through the southern border, euphemize it as someone else’s mess.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2021
First on the docket is hair loss (euphemized on its site as a bonsai tree shedding its leaves), with a $44-a-month box that includes DHT shampoo, a Minoxidil dropper, and Finasteride pills.
—Grant Rindner, Esquire, 6 Dec. 2017
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Better offers an insightful, vital portrait of suicide that makes no attempt to euphemize or diminish its subject.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Those words euphemize a cascade of traumas that have befallen higher education since Inauguration Day.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Later, their sad parts were endlessly euphemized until they could be mistaken for happy endings.
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
Why euphemize?
—oregonlive, 10 Dec. 2021
And if a real crisis happens, as with Central Americans flooding through the southern border, euphemize it as someone else’s mess.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2021
First on the docket is hair loss (euphemized on its site as a bonsai tree shedding its leaves), with a $44-a-month box that includes DHT shampoo, a Minoxidil dropper, and Finasteride pills.
—Grant Rindner, Esquire, 6 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemize
Verb
-
That may have helped soften the blow for investors.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
18 Mar. 2026
-
While the council's priority continues to be to remove undocumented immigrants who are violating the law, members have significantly softened their stance for immigrants who do not have criminal records.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The cocktail comes to us, like so many greats, from Hugo Ensslin’s 1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks and the recipe most of us use is more or less the same as his—a healthy pour of Irish whiskey, with lime juice and some grenadine (pomegranate syrup) to sweeten.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
14 Mar. 2026
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The Writers Guild of America West has sweetened its offer to the 110-member staff union that has been on strike since mid-February.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The internet certainly doesn’t poeticize it for me.—
Leah Greenblatt,
EW.com,
29 Aug. 2019
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Santo Loquasto's set doesn't poeticize the ambience.—
Charles McNulty,
latimes.com,
10 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Euphemize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemize. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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