Meaning & use

euphemism

noun·Academic

A mild or indirect word or phrase used in place of one considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant.

See it in a sentence

'Passed away' is a common euphemism for died.

The company used the euphemism 'restructuring' to describe mass layoffs.

A note on using this word

Euphemisms soften uncomfortable topics like death, illness, or bodily functions, but can also be criticized for obscuring hard truths.

Words with a similar meaning

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