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
That’s the official euphemism for a buyout that the Trump administration has offered federal government employees, among them the more than 20,000 who work for the intelligence agency.
—
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
The title is a Scottish euphemism for Hell, but Mogwai have always favored purgatory.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
But an American Iron Dome has been understood by some as a euphemism for a more comprehensive, layered defense against countries like Russia, China or North Korea.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Angelou’s memoir was itself a part of the broader movement of women speaking publicly about parts of their lives that had so long been shrouded in euphemism, secrecy, and shame.
—TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Shane Harris, The Atlantic, 6 Feb. 2025
The title is a Scottish euphemism for Hell, but Mogwai have always favored purgatory.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Jan. 2025
But an American Iron Dome has been understood by some as a euphemism for a more comprehensive, layered defense against countries like Russia, China or North Korea.
—Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025
Angelou’s memoir was itself a part of the broader movement of women speaking publicly about parts of their lives that had so long been shrouded in euphemism, secrecy, and shame.
—TIME, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
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This framework serves as a powerful metaphor for the compartmentalization often seen in some high-performing enterprises where operational efficiency is prized above the holistic well-being of employees.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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But those experiences ended up fueling her 2024 EP, The Drive Home, which drew ravishing reviews for its poetic metaphors pulled from her childhood memories.—
Meagan Jordan,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That’s a phrase Sir Alex Ferguson, the former Manchester United manager, is credited with introducing to the lexicon of English football.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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The criticism of labor importation acquired new phrases by the turn of the 20th century.—
Made by History,
Time,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Trump renegotiated the free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico in his first term.—
Rob Gillies,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Mar. 2025
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Burden is likely best suited to a slot role in most offenses, which isn’t a great fit for the Bills in terms of need, but there also seems like some untapped potential with a creative offensive playcaller.—
Joe Buscaglia,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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There is a French idiom that says when something is so easy, it can be done with ‘les doigts dans le nez’ — the fingers in the nose.—
Liam Tharme,
The Athletic,
23 Jan. 2025
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While often used sarcastically to mock true believers, the idiom reflects Italy’s enduring ambiguity toward Fascism, even 80 years after its fall.—
Mattia Ferraresi,
airmail.news,
1 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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