euphemize
Put it gently
To euphemize is to substitute a mild or indirect expression for one considered harsh, blunt, or offensive.
Someone who says "passed away" instead of "died" is euphemizing.
The press release euphemized the layoffs as "workforce optimization." The practice softens unpleasant realities—or obscures them.
Make less severe
- downplayDiminish perceived importance
- temperState of mind
- sugarcoatMake something seem pleasanter
- whitewashConceal or coat pale
sanitize · soften · cushion · palliate · gloss · varnish · spin · clean-up
Indirect, wordy expression
- alludeRefer indirectly
- implyIndicate without stating
- insinuateSuggest without directly stating
- hintIndirect suggestion
suggest · oblique · veiled · subtext · innuendo · understate · elliptical · skirt
Escape by cunning
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
- waffleGridded breakfast cake
fudge · pussyfoot · dissemble · mislead · obfuscate · shuffle · weasel · deflect
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
- sensitivityResponsiveness to stimuli
consideration · finesse · propriety · decorum · thoughtfulness · politeness · courtesy · gentility
mitigate
Make less severe
whitewash · sanitize · soften · cushion · palliate · gloss · varnish · spin · clean-up · prettify
circumlocution
Indirect, wordy expression
hint · suggest · oblique · veiled · subtext · innuendo · understate · elliptical · skirt · sidestep
evade
Escape by cunning
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
- equivocateSpeak vaguely to mislead
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
waffle · fudge · pussyfoot · dissemble · mislead · obfuscate · shuffle · weasel · deflect · vague
tact
Sensitivity in speech
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- diplomacyNegotiation between nations
sensitivity · consideration · finesse · propriety · decorum · thoughtfulness · politeness · courtesy · gentility · graciousness
death
Cessation of life
intimacy · disability · old-age · senior · fired · pregnant · expecting · poor · underprivileged · profanity
- sugarcoatingsweeten, soften, gloss over, whitewash, soft-pedal
- dismissingbrush aside, brush off, wave off, shrug off, blow off
euphemizecall a spade a spade
Speak without euphemism
speak plainly · tell it like it is · not mince words · lay it on the line · pull no punches
- death euphemismsGentle terms for dying
euphemism, euphemistic, euphemisms, euphemistically, euphemized, euphemizing