Word
euphemistic
Phoneticseu·phemistic
US/ˌjufəˈmɪstɪk/
UK/jˌuːfɪmˈɪstɪk/
Definition
adj. using a polite or mild word to describe something that is actually unpleasant, embarrassing, or rude. You use this when you want to make a difficult topic sound nicer.
adj. using a mild or indirect word or expression in place of one considered too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
Examples
“He used a euphemistic phrase to talk about losing his job.”
“The company's memo used euphemistic language like 'right-sizing' to avoid saying they were firing hundreds of employees.”
“Political discourse is often saturated with euphemistic terminology designed to soften the impact of controversial policies on the voting public.”
Examples
simple
“He used a euphemistic phrase to talk about losing his job.”
contextual
“The company's memo used euphemistic language like 'right-sizing' to avoid saying they were firing hundreds of employees.”
complex
“Political discourse is often saturated with euphemistic terminology designed to soften the impact of controversial policies on the voting public.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun like 'language', 'phrase', or 'term'.
Real-World Examples
“The proposal is contained in a 20-page document with the euphemistic title of “National Work Plan for Voluntary Emigration from the Gaza Strip”.” “Johnson's constant dissembling about this foreign policy disaster envenomed American political life and led journalists to coin a euphemistic term about his administration: the credibility gap.” “The company's euphemistic description of the past year having been one of transition cannot mask the difficulties it is facing," he said.” “Euphemistic language serves to allow individuals to deny that threats have been issued.” Etymology
From euphemism + -tic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/euphemistic