as in to soften
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Recent Examples of euphemize
To translate Holocaust literature at a moment when genocide is not only a historical category but an active legal accusation exposes translators, editors, and institutions alike to pressures to contain, displace, or euphemize violence.
—
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Better offers an insightful, vital portrait of suicide that makes no attempt to euphemize or diminish its subject.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Those words euphemize a cascade of traumas that have befallen higher education since Inauguration Day.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Later, their sad parts were endlessly euphemized until they could be mistaken for happy endings.
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
Why euphemize?
—oregonlive, 10 Dec. 2021
And if a real crisis happens, as with Central Americans flooding through the southern border, euphemize it as someone else’s mess.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2021
First on the docket is hair loss (euphemized on its site as a bonsai tree shedding its leaves), with a $44-a-month box that includes DHT shampoo, a Minoxidil dropper, and Finasteride pills.
—Grant Rindner, Esquire, 6 Dec. 2017
Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
Better offers an insightful, vital portrait of suicide that makes no attempt to euphemize or diminish its subject.
—Emma Alpern, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025
Those words euphemize a cascade of traumas that have befallen higher education since Inauguration Day.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2025
Later, their sad parts were endlessly euphemized until they could be mistaken for happy endings.
—Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2023
Why euphemize?
—oregonlive, 10 Dec. 2021
And if a real crisis happens, as with Central Americans flooding through the southern border, euphemize it as someone else’s mess.
—Daniel Henninger, WSJ, 17 Mar. 2021
First on the docket is hair loss (euphemized on its site as a bonsai tree shedding its leaves), with a $44-a-month box that includes DHT shampoo, a Minoxidil dropper, and Finasteride pills.
—Grant Rindner, Esquire, 6 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for euphemize
Verb
-
Grey walls are softened with light-wood chevron floors, and the interiors play with colors and textures.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
The Premier League and EFL are still sorting through the details of future parachute payments, which are intended to soften the financial blow of being relegated.—
Kurt Badenhausen,
Sportico.com,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
Sugar People with hypertension should avoid foods and drinks that are sweetened with sugar.—
Karen Shackelford,
Verywell Health,
13 May 2026
-
Better-tasting and better-for-you, these bran muffins are sweetened with maple syrup, tenderized with yogurt, and bake up light and fluffy in just 30 minutes.—
Victoria Spencer,
Martha Stewart,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The internet certainly doesn’t poeticize it for me.—
Leah Greenblatt,
EW.com,
29 Aug. 2019
-
Santo Loquasto's set doesn't poeticize the ambience.—
Charles McNulty,
latimes.com,
10 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Euphemize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/euphemize. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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