Dysphemism

//ˈdɪs.fəˌmɪ.z(ə)m// noun

noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The use of a word or phrase carrying negative connotations or imagery (especially one that is derogatory, offensive or vulgar) to replace a (more) neutral original. uncountable
  2. 2
    an offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one wordnet
  3. 3
    A word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way. countable

Synonyms

All synonyms
bad languagebad tastebarbarismblue languagecacophonycoarseness

Example

More examples

"One of Stalin's antisemitic campaigns used the dysphemism "rootless cosmopolitans" for Jews."

Etymology

Borrowed from French dysphémisme, modelled after euphémisme, with the prefix dys-.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.