Definitions
- Used to express an idea by negating its opposite. - Used to understate a statement for emphasis or effect. - Used to convey a double negative for rhetorical effect.
- Used to replace a harsh or unpleasant word or phrase with a milder or more polite one. - Used to avoid offending or upsetting someone. - Used to make something sound more positive or less negative than it actually is.
List of Similarities
- 1Both are figures of speech used to soften the impact of a statement.
- 2Both can be used to avoid offending or upsetting someone.
- 3Both can be used to make a statement sound less harsh or negative.
What is the difference?
- 1Function: Litotes involves negating the opposite of a statement, while euphemism involves replacing a harsh or unpleasant word with a milder one.
- 2Effect: Litotes emphasizes a statement by understating it, while euphemism makes a statement sound more positive or less negative.
- 3Usage: Litotes is less common and often used in literature or formal writing, while euphemism is more commonly used in everyday language.
- 4Intention: Litotes is used to create a rhetorical effect, while euphemism is used to avoid offending or upsetting someone.
- 5Structure: Litotes involves a double negative structure, while euphemism involves a substitution of words or phrases.
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Remember this!
Litotes and euphemism are both figures of speech used to soften the impact of a statement. However, litotes involves negating the opposite of a statement to create emphasis or understatement, while euphemism involves replacing a harsh or unpleasant word with a milder one to avoid offense or make a statement sound more positive.
