Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Pertaining to or characterized by euphemism.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Pertaining to euphemism; containing a euphemism; softened in expression.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective of or pertaining to euphemism

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective substituting a mild term for a harsher or distasteful one

Etymologies

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Examples

  • The administration sought to justify the unjustifiable by coining the euphemistic doublespeak of "roughing up".

    Stabroek News 2009

  • Steve: It is hardly "euphemistic" to describe me as being in the mineral exploration business.

    Crowley and North [1991] « Climate Audit 2005

  • Now Mike Walker has the whole story, and it turns out that "inappropriate gestures" was some kind of euphemistic code for groping the caboose of every woman in the club:

    Agent Bedhead Mr. Atoz 2010

  • That's why abortion supporters have to use all kind of euphemistic language to speak about abortion.

    Ontario Blogs Feed 2009

  • EH: Just to assuage my concerns regarding a possibly-euphemistic treadmill, is there any practical difference between “targeted killing” and assassination?

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Drone Warfare in House Subcommittee Hearing 2010

  • “Entertain, you understand, Mr. Gordon, is rather a euphemistic term for what occurred.”

    Olivia V.C.Andrews 2011

  • This article is somewhat euphemistic – call it what it is: another LIE passed down by the "Party of NO".

    CNN Truth Squad: No eye care until you're blind in one eye? 2009

  • These and many other reports point to this inevitable conclusion: whether we call it by the name of racism or something more euphemistic, several hundred thousand residents of the District of Columbia suffer levels of poverty, illiteracy, illness and violence that persist in spite of efforts to improve schools and provide better social services.

    Patricia McGuire: Lost Horizons Patricia McGuire 2011

  • And casual or euphemistic phrasing and clichés pops up to describe the indescribable.

    A Shock to the System Michael Fathers 2012

  • Just to assuage my concerns regarding a possibly-euphemistic treadmill, is there any practical difference between “targeted killing” and assassination?

    The Volokh Conspiracy » Drone Warfare in House Subcommittee Hearing 2010

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