dysphemism
Americannoun
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the substitution of a harsh, disparaging, or unpleasant expression for a more neutral one.
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an expression so substituted, as “cancer stick” for “cigarette.”
noun
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substitution of a derogatory or offensive word or phrase for an innocuous one
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the word or phrase so substituted
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of dysphemism
First recorded in 1880–85; dys- + (eu)phemism
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The headline for this week’s results is by Jeff Contompasis, who also suggested the dysphemism part of the contest; Jesse Frankovich wrote the honorable-mentions subhead.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 20, 2017
He’s a virtuoso of the espionage dysphemism, my favorite being “the coalition of the belatedly almost willing.”
From Slate ● May 8, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
