Euphemism
noun /ˈjuːfɪmɪz(ə)m/ — A mild expression used in place of something blunt or harsh.
Definition
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt — a way of discussing difficult subjects with the comfort of indirection.
Beyond the definition
Euphemisms reveal what a culture is uncomfortable saying directly. 'Passed away' for died; 'collateral damage' for civilian deaths; 'let go' for fired. Sometimes euphemism is kindness — the softened word for an unbearable thing. Often it is evasion — the comfortable phrase that prevents thinking clearly about what is happening.
Origin & history
From Greek euphemismos, from eu (well) + pheme (speaking). Speaking well — the good word, the comfortable word, instead of the accurate one.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The euphemism 'enhanced interrogation' was designed to make torture hard to call by its name.
'Passed away' is a euphemism that many find comforting — the gentleness is sometimes the point.
She had no patience for euphemism — she would say what things were, precisely and without softening.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Euphemism” when the meaning fits your context: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt — a way of discussing difficult subjects with the comfort of indirection.
Synonyms
understatement, indirection, circumlocution
Antonyms
bluntness, directness
Related words
Euphemism vs softened term
Euphemism is a formal category for replacing harsh terms with milder ones. Softened term is a general description used when trying to be polite or indirect.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Brushing Foliage in Garden
An adult brushes their hand through the herb garden, releasing scents into the air in a gentle, indirect way.
The gentle, indirect act of releasing the scent through movement serves as an analogy for euphemism. By using a softer, more indirect action to represent a more intense experience, it provides the comfort of indirection when discussing something difficult.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Euphemism" mean?
Euphemism is noun meaning: A mild expression used in place of something blunt or harsh.. A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered too harsh or blunt — a way of discussing difficult subjects with the comfort of indirection.
Where does the word "Euphemism" come from?
From Greek euphemismos, from eu (well) + pheme (speaking). Speaking well — the good word, the comfortable word, instead of the accurate one.