euphemism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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A slip of paper with the phrase, "Peculiar Institution" -- a euphemism for slavery -- was found in the ornate display case of a tiny 1860 portrait of two wide-eyed girls with identical dresses.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
That’s great, but do we really need so much euphemism?
From Salon ● May 8, 2026
Just so you know, I’m not one for euphemism.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 13, 2026
It comes just weeks after Zhang was removed from his post, after he was accused of "serious violations of discipline and law" - typically a euphemism for corruption.
From BBC ● Feb. 26, 2026
The quickening, Madeline had called it, as she laid her hands on Mia’s skin—such an old-fashioned euphemism, one that made her think of quicksilver, a lithe little fish whipping about within her.
From "Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng
And on past occasions, companies have been called to task for using euphemisms or vague language.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
In fact, we had a whole vocabulary of different words and euphemisms we could use so as not to think too deeply about the unthinkable or our possible role in making it happen.
From Salon ● Dec. 7, 2025
In one of the film’s most charged moments, Peck turns Orwell’s warning about political language into a montage of modern euphemisms: “peacekeeping operations,” “collateral damage,” “illegals” — and then, pointedly, “antisemitism 2024.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025
They use euphemisms online to communicate the things they are not supposed to mention.
From New York Times ● Jun. 4, 2024
In conversation they papered over the grim realities of their jobs with cheery euphemisms.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Vocabulary lists containing euphemism
The Great Gatsby
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The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 1
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Rhetoric
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