euphemic

7.9

Describing something with a mild or pleasant word instead of a harsh one

adjective
/juːˈfɛmɪk/

: eufemístico

Instead of saying 'fired', he used the euphemic term 'let go'.

Examples

The euphemic language in the report softened the impact of the bad news.
Using euphemic terms can help ease difficult conversations.
The manager chose a euphemic way to announce the layoffs to the staff.
Her euphemic language made the criticism sound less harsh than it really was.
The manager chose a euphemic way to announce the layoffs to the staff.
Her euphemic language made the criticism sound less harsh than it really was.
Instead of saying 'fired', he used the euphemic term 'let go'.

Synonyms

euphemistic

vseuphemic

3 7.5

Using mild or indirect words to make something sound less harsh

is the same meaning but differs in word form and suffix

Antonyms

harsh

289 2.8

Unkind and too strict in what someone says or does to others

blunt

100 3.8

Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude

How Mild

euphemic

7.9

indirect

14 4.3

direct

302 3.5

harsh

289 2.8

Surface Forms

euphemic positive

Morphology

euphemic = euphemism (transparent) = euphem + ic

The adjective is formed with the productive English suffix '-ic' from the noun 'euphemism', so its meaning 'relating to euphemisms or euphemistic language' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Euphemic comes from Greek parts eu- 'good' and pheme 'speech', so it originally meant 'good speech' — think of eulogy, a 'good speech' about someone. That's why something euphemic is a softer or nicer way to say something harsh or unpleasant.