Euphemistic

Describing language that uses milder, more indirect, or vague terms in place of harsher, more explicit, or potentially offensive ones. This softening of language often aims to avoid causing offense, embarrassment, or discomfort. The goal is to sanitize or disguise potentially unpleasant realities, sometimes to appear more polite or professional, and in other instances to mislead or deceive the audience. The choice of euphemistic language reveals cultural sensitivities and power dynamics.

Euphemistic meaning with examples

• Instead of saying 'fired,' the company announced a 'downsizing' which is a euphemistic term. 'Passed away' or 'gone to a better place' are often preferred to 'died' in obituaries. The interviewer said she 'needed to re-evaluate her performance' instead of saying he was failing. The politician spoke of 'revenue enhancements' rather than 'tax increases' for the electorate. The news report referred to a 'friendly fire incident' instead of a 'tragic mistake'.
• When discussing old age, people often use phrases such as 'senior citizen,' or 'golden years' (euphemistic words). Instead of saying 'fat,' a fashion magazine might describe a person as being 'full-figured' or 'curvaceous.' When asking for a raise, an employee might suggest, 'adjusting my compensation' rather than 'demanding a salary increase'. Politicians use 'collateral damage' in place of 'civilian casualties'. If a relationship ends it's easier to say 'we are no longer an item' instead of 'we have broken up'.
• The report used the word 'economically challenged' instead of 'poor' (a euphemistic use). For an older person, 'over the hill' is used in place of 'elderly' because it has less stigma. Instead of saying 'lie,' a salesperson might describe their statements as a 'creative interpretation of the facts'. To soften the news about a decline in sales, the company said 'experiencing a period of adjustment.' In place of the term 'mental institution' the modern medical profession uses the more sensitive word 'mental facility'.
• A public relations firm described a product recall as a 'voluntary market withdrawal' (euphemistic). In a professional setting, 'terminated employment' may replace the blunt expression 'you're fired'. The phrase 'correctional facility' is used instead of 'prison', a less severe description for an unpleasant reality. Speaking of 're-purposing' instead of 'throwing away' is a euphemism. A doctor will often euphemistically use the words 'passed on' in place of 'died'.
• In place of the direct, 'you are wrong,' one might say 'that interpretation requires further consideration.' Instead of saying 'ugly,' one may use the word 'unattractive' or 'not conventionally beautiful'. The term 'pre-owned' instead of 'used' is also often utilized in car sales. The phrase 'relocating' (a euphemistic word) may appear in place of a company's 'layoffs'. Instead of 'obese' the word 'weight challenged' is now commonly used.