euphemism

Definition of euphemismnext
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of euphemism Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics. Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026 Special military operation is Russia’s official euphemism for the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2026 The Execution Crisis Defined Rasmus Holst, CEO of Zensai, describes it without euphemism. Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 9 June 2026 When Oklahoma missed out on the NCAA Tournament, AD Roger Denny announced that coach Porter Moser was staying and offered up one of the great euphemisms of this era. Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for euphemism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemism
Noun
  • The ground-shaking excitement was not just a metaphor in this case.
    Alejandro Avila OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • Instead, it's turned into a timeless work that's spawned decades of study about the movie as a metaphor for the civil rights movement, Vietnam War and 1960s America.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • His Raising Cane’s work, titled Cane’s Anthem, continues the Pop-lite aesthetic, utilizing phrases and images that appear to be culled from the mass media.
    Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 June 2026
  • Anyway, this phrase survived my query letter, made it into my agent’s submission letter to editors, and ended up in my editor’s copy on the back of the book.
    Sarah Schulman, Literary Hub, 29 June 2026
Noun
  • Both parties have accused each other of violating the terms – which envision the eventual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, the full disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international force and a new Palestinian governing body.
    Sana Noor Haq, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • Personal terms had not been expected to be an issue for Manchester United, but Tottenham’s salary offer was also viewed as beyond what the Old Trafford hierarchy were willing to commit to.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 4 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Euphemism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemism. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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