Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
euphemism
Noun
/ˈjuːfəˌmɪzəm/
Definition
A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
Examples
- Instead of saying someone died, people often use the euphemism ‘passed away’.
- To avoid offending anyone, she used the euphemism ‘differently-abled’ instead of ‘disabled’.
Meaning
Euphemism refers to language that is used to soften the impact of difficult or uncomfortable topics. It replaces more direct terms with gentler ones.
Synonyms
- Reduction
- Softening
- Substitution
- Indirect expression
