EUPHEMISMS Synonyms: 27 Similar and Opposite Words

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.

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

dysphemisms

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

Noun

The best moments on records like Redemption, Blackheart, and Second Line use her knack for grand, metaphysical metaphors to charge her singing with epic stakes.

— Stephen Kearse, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Even Jeff, post-premiere, has been a delight, just kind of letting the game play out and not foisting metaphors upon us at Tribal Council.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of metaphors

Noun

Many cities in South Florida have four-year mayoral terms, including Miami, Doral, Hialeah and South Miami.

— Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
After five terms, voters can fairly ask whether Washington has made life in this district more affordable.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of terms

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euphemism

euphemisms

euphemistic

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“Euphemisms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemisms. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of euphemisms

noun

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