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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of euphemism
His mimicry of the inflated language of marketing, bureaucratic euphemism, and hypertechnical mumbo jumbo finds the exact midpoint between amusing and appalling.
—
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024
Tax complexity has become a euphemism for tax evasion for a price ordinary taxpayers cannot afford.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
What perfectly plausible scenario happens in this movie, and why does its title sound like a euphemism for something very dirty?
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Brown told The Associated Press in October 2021 that the euphemism actually ended up hurting his race team.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for euphemism 
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 24 Oct. 2024
Tax complexity has become a euphemism for tax evasion for a price ordinary taxpayers cannot afford.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 18 Nov. 2024
What perfectly plausible scenario happens in this movie, and why does its title sound like a euphemism for something very dirty?
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2024
Brown told The Associated Press in October 2021 that the euphemism actually ended up hurting his race team.
—Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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Balloons are a potent metaphor for the series, according to Latta.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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Perhaps, their lack of synchronization serves as a quiet metaphor for the division within our nation.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This is, however, the phrase’s first appearance in a daily Times crossword.—
Deb Amlen,
New York Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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But the reason was strictly to choose joy, which is a phrase that’s been on my lock screen for the last two years, for personal life and work life.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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During his first term, Trump tried to rescind a waiver that allowed California to pursue car emissions standards stricter than the federal government’s.—
Nara Schoenberg,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2025
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Mehta had argued that the language of Trump's pardon for the defendants in question had only applied to their terms of imprisonment, and not to the details of their supervised release.—
Anders Hagstrom,
Fox News,
27 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Maze Runner actor sloughs off Roman’s moody persona, replacing that twin’s abrasive bluntness and struggle with idioms with the other’s quick wit and seductive charm.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
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For instance, the grammar and translation method has been modernized to help students grasp complex concepts like abstract words, idioms and metaphors.—
Geoffrey Alphonso,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near euphemism
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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