Euphemistically

/ˌjuːfəˈmɪstɪkli/ adverb

Definition

In a way that uses mild or indirect language to avoid saying something harsh or unpleasant directly.

Etymology

From 'euphemistical' + the adverbial suffix '-ly'. This adverb form allows speakers to describe the manner in which someone uses euphemisms, completing the word family that developed throughout the 1800s.

Kelly Says

When someone says 'the company euphemistically refers to layoffs as 'resource optimization,' they're calling out the sneaky linguistic trick of making bad news sound better—it's a way of saying 'they're lying with fancy words!'

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