euphemize

American  

[yoo-fuh-mahyz] / ˈyu fəˌmaɪz /

especially British, euphemise

verb (used with object)

euphemized, euphemizing

1. to refer to by means of euphemism.

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verb (used without object)

euphemized, euphemizing

1. to employ euphemism.

euphemize British  

/ ˈjuːfɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to speak in euphemisms or refer to by means of a euphemism

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Other Word Forms

• euphemization noun
• euphemizer noun

Etymology

Origin of euphemize

First recorded in 1855–60, euphemize is from the Greek word euphēmízein to use words of good omen. See euphemism, -ize

Example Sentences

Remembering is dangerous when attachments are so tenuous; better to isolate, to distance or to euphemize.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2021

Regardless, the size of your partner’s body does not need to be an embarrassing secret that you tiptoe around or euphemize.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2020

She would never euphemize cause of death, believing that wider social truths about disease, mental health, addiction could be communicated more effectively through the experience of an individual.

From The Guardian • May 2, 2020

Jargon acts not only to euphemize but to license, setting insiders against outsiders and giving the flimsiest notions a scientific aura.

From The New Yorker • Mar. 7, 2016

Nobody's saying that cute slang terms have to go, just that we might want to think about why we euphemize, and consider teaching both pet and dictionary terms.

From New York Times • Nov. 6, 2012