euphemize Definition
to use a mild or indirect word or expression instead of one considered to be too harsh or blunt.
Using euphemize: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "euphemize" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Instead of saying that someone died, people often euphemize by saying they 'passed away'.
Example
To avoid offending anyone, the politician euphemized his statement about the controversial issue.
Example
The company euphemized the layoffs by calling them 'restructuring'.
euphemize Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for euphemize
Antonyms for euphemize
Phrases with euphemize
the process by which a word or phrase loses its original meaning over time as it becomes more commonly used and replaced by new euphemisms
Example
The term 'mentally retarded' was once a euphemism for people with intellectual disabilities, but it has since fallen victim to the euphemism treadmill and is now considered offensive.
a humorous award given to the most ridiculous or absurd euphemism used in public discourse during a given year
Example
The 'euphemism of the year' award for 2020 went to the airline industry for their use of the term 'health passport' to refer to vaccine passports.
language that is deliberately ambiguous or evasive, often used to deceive or mislead
Example
The politician's speech was full of doublespeak, making it difficult to understand his true intentions.
Origins of euphemize
from Greek 'eu', meaning 'good, well' + 'pheme', meaning 'speaking'
Summary: euphemize in Brief
'Euphemize' [ˈjuːfəmaɪz] means to use a mild or indirect word or expression instead of one considered to be too harsh or blunt. Examples include 'passed away' instead of 'died' and 'restructuring' instead of 'layoffs'. The term 'euphemism treadmill' describes how euphemisms lose their original meaning over time, while 'euphemism of the year' is a humorous award given to the most ridiculous euphemism used in public discourse. 'Doublespeak' refers to language that is deliberately ambiguous or evasive.
