A Bunch of Euphemism Examples and How They Help Your Writing

All word warriors should be familiar with euphemisms. This literary device can help you flesh out your fictional friends, color in your imaginary universe, and craft beautiful prose that bookworms will devour.

And the deeper your understanding of euphemisms, the better your writing will be. So we’re about to go over all of it: the what, why, and how.

You’ll also get an extensive list of euphemism examples (plus a bunch more along the way).

What is a Euphemism?

So technically, the term euphemism refers to a word or phrase created to soften ideas that are unpleasant, offensive, or taboo.

No matter where you look, you’ll find some version of that definition. A euphemism makes a bad thing sound good. And I have to tell you, that fact was really throwing me for a bit, because isn’t “kicked the bucket” a euphemism? And “half-wit?” And “take a dump?”

My friend, I am here to tell you that I learned something writing this article. There’s a whole other word for the negative version of a euphemism: dysphemism. Maybe you already knew this. I did not.

A dysphemism is a word or phrase intended to be harsher than the term it replaces. 

This is good information. But no one uses this word, and if you say it too fast, your lips get tangled. So for most of this article, we’re going to use the word euphemism to refer to both euphemisms and dysphemisms.

In either case, we’re talking about deliberately using different language to refer to a common idea in order to push a specific perspective or connotation.

And if you’re not sure what I mean by that, you will in, like, two paragraphs. 

Why Do We Use Euphemisms?

We use euphemisms for so many reasons, but here are some of the most common:

To soften the blow or spare someone embarrassment 

It’s why many companies use the term “downsized” instead of “fired.” Or why someone might call their friend’s new haircut “adventurous” instead of “ugly.”

To avoid offending 

In a public, formal, or otherwise sensitive context, a euphemism can ease the potential awkwardness of discussing not-so-pretty ideas. It’s why we use terms like “passed away” when speaking of someone’s death.

To be funny 

Many euphemisms are simply meant to entertain. “He’s two fries short of a happy meal.” “She’s vertically challenged.” Stuff like that.

To taunt or mock

A euphemism can also be outright mean. If you refer to your live-in cousin as a leech, it’s probably not because you consider it a harmless synonym for a house guest. It’s your goal to be hurtful, and you probably succeeded.

To stir emotions 

A joining of lives. A celebration of life. The rainbow bridge. Euphemisms like these are created to draw out the deeper, more emotional experiences beneath direct concepts like “wedding,” “funeral,” and “the death of a pet.”

To manipulate perception 

The most obvious examples of this are in workplaces, sales, and government. 

That’s not a boring old conference room; it’s a breakout space! This car isn’t used; it’s pre-owned. Don’t worry—it’s not economic decline. It’s just a bit of disinflation.

A repeated euphemism can even impact the way we think about something as horrific as war. Civilian casualties are referred to as “collateral damage.” Bombings and invasions might be called “pacification.” These terms remove humanity and devastation from the discussion to focus on strategies and objectives.

As you can see, euphemisms are powerful. The specific words you choose to convey a message determine how your meaning and tone are understood.

These words and phrases can be used to guide, inspire, obscure, offend, or manipulate. They provide a window into the speaker’s perception and hint at their goals.

Euphemisms are, in short, excellent tools for writers.

Understanding Euphemisms as a Literary Device

The dystopian world of George Orwell’s 1984 is packed with euphemistic language created by the government to control thought and perception.

Thoughtcrime refers to any idea that opposes the Party’s ideology. Crimestop is the act of self-censorship all citizens must engage in to prevent Thoughtcrime. The Ministry of Truth is in charge of propaganda.

In this way, Orwell uses euphemisms as worldbuilding tools and thematic devices. But that’s not the only way a euphemism can be used in literature.

A euphemism can also clarify a character’s personality and perspective through their dialogue, help establish a narrative tone, and make your writing more vivid and engaging.

You’ll learn how to tap into these narrative possibilities in a bit. First, let’s get familiar with all the euphemistic language at your disposal.

Types of Euphemisms

A euphemism will generally fit into one of these categories:

Abstraction - This type of euphemism opts for more symbolic or figurative language. 

Example: Replacing “died” with “crossed over.”

Indirection - An indirection softens uncomfortable or embarrassing topics with a vague expression. 

Example: Replacing “broke up” with “parted ways.”

Litotes - This is when a euphemism serves to downplay the situation. If you see a euphemism that negates the opposite of the truth instead of just stating the truth outright, it’s probably litotes. 

Example: Replacing “She’s furious” with “She’s not pleased” or “She’s less than pleased.”

Mispronunciation - This type of euphemism happens when the speaker deliberately mispronounces a more explicit word. 

Example: Saying “friggin’” instead of the alternative.

Personification - If a euphemism refers to something non-human by giving it a name or human-like qualities, it’s personification. 

Example: Replacing “barky dog” with “talkative dog.”

Slang - You know this one. It’s a coded euphemism used by people within a specific group, whether that group is a local e-bike gang or all the seventh graders in North America. 

Example: Replacing “attractive person” with “baddie.”  

Using Euphemisms in Writing

As I mentioned earlier, a euphemism is a literary device. That means you can use it to tell a better story, paint more vivid images, and write more engaging prose.

But, like, how?

Let’s discuss.

Establish Character Through Dialogue

A euphemism can give you a pretty good picture of how someone views a situation, feels about a person, or carries themselves in general.

If, on page one of your novel, a character says they have to “take a leak,” your reader will immediately make assumptions about who they are. Same deal if a character says they have to “powder their nose” or “use the facilities.”

The language your fictional people use can also betray their feelings about a situation or person. Does your protagonist describe their neighbor as “not unattractive” or “a total snack?” When they drink their coffee in the morning, are they “fueling up for the hustle” or drinking their “go juice” to get through “the slog?”

Your reader will always interpret a deeper attitude behind their dialogue. That’s why you want to be strategic when you use euphemisms. What message are you sending your reader?

Write More Engaging Prose

Euphemisms can help you out a lot when you’re writing narration.

For one thing, all great stories feature a clear narrative tone. The tone is essentially your narrator’s attitude toward the story, and you need a tone even if your narrator is an unnamed third party.

It’s the same for your narrator as it is for your characters: the euphemisms you use tell your reader how this entity feels about the story. 

The right euphemism can also evoke an emotion or a powerful image. The term “twilight years” brings to mind the peace and loveliness of early evening—the low light and soft breezes and the first few flickers of fireflies.

Sharpen Your Worldbuilding

Euphemisms help define the world of your story. 

You might take a note from Orwell and use the euphemistic language of governing powers to demonstrate how they want their citizens to think. You could do something similar with a smaller institution, like a school, club, or even a family.

The language you use can also clarify cultural norms and values. How do people speak about sensitive topics like death and sex and bodily functions? Is there anything else they’re unwilling to speak about in direct terms? And what terms do they replace them with?

It’s worth noting that each culture has its own euphemisms. I come from the Midwest, where you’d never ask to “get past” someone who’s standing in your way. Too aggressive. The culturally appropriate euphemism in this context would be asking to “sneak by ya.”

Finally, euphemisms can transport your reader to the time period of your novel. If someone drinks giggle water in the hopes of being less of a flat tire at tonight’s wingding, you’re clearly telling a tale set in the 1920s. That, or it’s about someone who takes their Great Gatsby themed birthday party very seriously.

Euphemism Examples

You’re hopefully starting to get the feel for euphemisms now, but I did promise a whole big list of euphemism examples, so here they are. In fact, I’ll give you some euphemisms and some dysphemisms.

Euphemisms

These pretty words make negative, sensitive, or potentially offensive things more palatable.

• Between jobs (unemployed)
• Chronologically gifted (old)
• Correction (punishment)
• Correctional facility (prison)
• Creative accounting (financial manipulation)
• Downsized (fired)
• Economically disadvantaged (poor)
• Enhanced interrogation (torture)
• Friendly fire (accidental attack on allies)
• Golden years (old age)
• Had too much to drink (drunk)
• In the family way (pregnant)
• Laid to rest (buried)
• Liquid courage (alcohol)
• Be intimate (have sex)
• Negative outcome (failure)
• Neutralized (killed or disabled)
• Not a good fit (rejection)
• Powder room (bathroom)
• Pre-owned (used)
• Put to sleep (euthanized)
• Stretching the truth (lying)
• Under the weather (sick)
• Weekend warrior (amateur)
• Well-off (rich)

Euphemisms That Are Actually Technically Dysphemisms

These terms go the opposite way—harsher and more blunt that the words people would generally use.

• Beak (nose)
• Bloodsucker (exploiter)
• Brat (child)
• Cancer stick (cigarette)
• Croaked (died)
• Dumped (ended a relationship)
• Leech (someone who takes without giving)
• Old hag (elderly woman)
• Paper pusher (bureaucrat)
• Sellout (someone who betrays ideals for material success)
• Shrink (psychologist)
• Suit (corporate executive)
• Walked the plank (fired)
• Warmonger (aggressive political leader)

Can You Create Your Own Euphemism?

Yes! You don’t have to turn to common euphemisms to give your characters and world more life. You can absolutely create your own. After all, no one knows the perspectives and attitudes that shape your story better than you.

Here are some quick tips for writing euphemisms that are uniquely your own:

Explore Metaphors 

When you’ve got a metaphor, you’re just one step away from a euphemism. Maybe your protagonist calls their great aunt’s house “the Met” because it’s full of expensive art and antiques that are not to be handled or sat on, making the whole place feel more like a museum than a home.

Make It Manipulative 

Who’s using the euphemism? Is it a teenager trying to convince their best friend that their teacher is shady? An oppressive government trying to reframe slave labor as an act of patriotism? What language would make sense for steering the desired perspective?

Factor in Propriety 

Don’t forget to keep the cultural context in mind. What terms are considered offensive in your world or to specific characters? How can you rephrase those concepts to make them sound more pleasant?

Experiment with Humor 

Remember that a euphemism can double as a joke. If your characters or narrator want to make fun of something, consider allowing them to create a whole new term that pokes at it.

Now Back to the Salt Mines, As They Say in the Salt Industry

A euphemism is like any other storytelling device. The more you practice using it in your writing, the more proficient you become. So now that you understand the true potential of a good euphemism, it’s time to get back to your work in progress and start sprinkling in some artful terminology.

As long as you’re trying new things, you might as well snag a free trial of the Dabble writing tool. It’s the absolute best tool for fiction writers (not that I’m biased), and you can try all of Dabble’s innovative features free for 14 days—no credit card required—when you click this li’l link.