euphemisms

noun

plural of euphemism
as in metaphors
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 euphemisms Sam Roberts, a longtime obituarist for the New York Times, wants to banish the euphemisms that attend death. — Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026 Tshabalala’s bluntness about the economic cost is the rare honest signal here; business will not be pacified by euphemisms. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 10 July 2026 Willmett and Harris are clearly uninterested in euphemisms, so there’s an exaggerated naivety to their lyrics. — Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 8 June 2026 Discussing why people use euphemisms online prepares children to pause and ask questions when unfamiliar terms appear. — Sharlette A. Kellum, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 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 Now there were no euphemisms for Germany’s leader. — Literary Hub, 27 Feb. 2026 Some of the suspects try to minimize their actions with euphemisms or paraphrases; others do so with explanations that the prosecutors find utterly implausible. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026 In a year of cancellations and euphemisms, the city mounted a counterprogram that was quietly insurrectionary, stubbornly joyous. — The Editors, Curbed, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemisms
  1. metaphors
  2. phrases
  3. terms
Noun
  • In their desperation to sound unique, applicants often think too outside the box, trying out unusual formats, elaborate metaphors, or intentionally quirky topics in an effort to seem memorable.
    — Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Being the kind of person who adorns themselves compulsively opens you up to a slew of corny metaphors that, against your will, feel deeply relevant to you.
    — Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of metaphors
Noun
  • Nonetheless, emphasizing unfounded truths in various frantic phrases won’t gain followers to your point of view.
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the special logo for the themed night was a design by New Zealand artist Alana Tsui inspired by deconstructed sneaker parts and created with her signature line work, with empowering words and phrases woven in.
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of phrases
Noun
  • Penalties for unlawful possession of firearms in Thailand include prison terms from 1 to 10 years and fines of up to 20,000 baht ($600).
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The alternative—exiting with no deal—meant trading with the EU and other countries on the terms of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was predicted to cause severe economic disruption.
    — Nick Tabor, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of terms

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euphemism
euphemisms
euphemistic
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Cite this Entry

“Euphemisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemisms. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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