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Euphemisms & Other Useful Vocabulary on contemporary topics (for compositions)
Study some contemporary notions, concepts and terms to use in your compositions. Knowing a few key words/concepts on a topic may make you come across as an expert. Admittedly, you have to cast your net wide when learning vocabulary (having wide vocabulary is your greatest asset with your English), but every little bit helps. Happy browsing!
🎬 FILM & MEDIA
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Mature themes
Adult, complex topics
Use in reviews
The film tackles mature themes like trauma and loss.
Edgy content
Controversial elements
Neutral tone
It’s known for edgy content and pushing limits.
Emotionally intense
Very sad or dramatic
Softer than “tragic”
The story is emotionally intense but powerful.
Realistic portrayal
Honest, sometimes harsh depiction
Academic tone
It’s a realistic portrayal of poverty.
Visually stimulating
Bright or artistic
Avoids “overwhelming”
The visuals are stimulating and creative.
Suggestive scenes
Implied sexual content
Polite term
It contains a few suggestive scenes.
Loosely based on
Inspired by real events
Review-friendly
Loosely based on true events.
Predictable plot twists
Cliché moments
Soft criticism
The plot twists were a bit predictable.
Audience-friendly ending
Happy or neat conclusion
Use in analysis
The film offers an audience-friendly ending.
Genre-bending
Mixes types/styles
Trendy term
It’s a genre-bending action comedy.
Mild suspense
Not very scary
Review-friendly
The film creates mild suspense suitable for all ages.
Offbeat humor
Weird comedy
Softer than “bizarre”
Full of offbeat humor and odd characters.
Language warning
Strong language
Used in synopses
The show has a language warning.
Family-friendly
For all ages
Use in recommendations
It’s a family-friendly animation.
Slow-paced storytelling
Not much action
Polite critique
The slow-paced storytelling may test patience.
Artistic direction
Unique visuals
Use for style praise
The artistic direction was unforgettable.
Inspired casting
Clever actor choices
Soft praise
Inspired casting helped revive the role.
Visually driven narrative
Story told mostly via visuals
Artsy tone
A visually driven narrative with minimal dialogue.
Groundbreaking visuals
Innovative effects
Use for praise
It features groundbreaking visuals.
Cult favorite
Niche but loved
Use for hidden gems
Though overlooked, it became a cult favorite.
🎵 MUSIC & CULTURE
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Culturally rich
Diverse and interesting
Use to praise music/art
It’s a culturally rich album.
Retro vibe
Old-school style
Trendy term
The song has a retro vibe that appeals to teens.
Genre-defying
Doesn’t fit one style
Creative praise
A genre-defying masterpiece.
Up-and-coming artist
New and rising star
Better than “unknown”
An up-and-coming artist worth following.
Mature sound
Complex, adult tone
Use in reviews
The band has developed a more mature sound.
Socially aware lyrics
Talks about issues
Useful in analysis
The lyrics are socially aware and poetic.
Influenced by
Inspired by others
Avoids “copied”
Heavily influenced by 90s hip-hop.
Underrated
Better than people think
Supportive term
An underrated gem of an album.
Mainstream appeal
Popular with wide audience
Academic term
The single has clear mainstream appeal.
Musical nod
Reference or tribute
Use for respectful borrowing
A musical nod to The Beatles.
Acquired taste
Not liked instantly
Polite honesty
Their music is an acquired taste.
Visually immersive concert
Great light/video effects
Positive phrase
A visually immersive concert experience.
Lyrically playful
Fun or witty lyrics
Use in descriptions
The track is lyrically playful and ironic.
Musical storytelling
Song with a clear narrative
Literary crossover
A beautiful example of musical storytelling.
Inspired collaboration
Great team-up
Positive spin
An inspired collaboration between artists.
Eclectic mix
Variety of styles
Use for creative diversity
The playlist is an eclectic mix of jazz, funk, and pop.
Crossover success
Popular in multiple genres
Industry term
A rare crossover success.
Musically adventurous
Unusual sound
Praise for risks
The album is musically adventurous.
Underground scene
Indie or non-mainstream
Use in youth culture essays
He emerged from the underground scene.
Authentic voice
Honest expression
Positive term
An artist with an authentic voice.
🔬 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Artificial enhancement
Tech-assisted improvement
Often used in biotech
Artificial enhancement is common in sports medicine.
Smart solution
Tech-based answer
Polite, trendy
Smart solutions are needed in city planning.
Human error
Mistake made by a person
Used in official reports
The crash was caused by human error.
Digitally modified
Edited or altered
Use in media/AI contexts
Digitally modified voices raise ethical concerns.
Data-driven decision
Based on statistics
Use in science writing
A data-driven decision can reduce bias.
Genetic editing
Gene modification
Neutral term
Genetic editing sparks ethical debate.
Mechanized process
Done by machines
Neutral tone
A fully mechanized process saves time.
Enhanced intelligence
Smarter AI
Replaces “dangerous AI”
Enhanced intelligence could replace human jobs.
Precision medicine
Personalized treatment
Euphemism for complex genetic solutions
Precision medicine could revolutionize cancer care.
Innovative breakthrough
Major discovery
Use in science articles
A recent innovative breakthrough in robotics.
Unintended consequence
Negative side effect
Use in argumentation
Unintended consequences of social media include loneliness.
Automated system
Run by computers
Use in analysis
The factory uses automated systems.
Environmentally optimized
Designed to be eco-friendly
Tech & ecology crossover
An environmentally optimized building design.
Assistive technology
Tools for disabilities
Respectful term
Assistive technology helps students with learning differences.
Digital footprint
Online history
Polite term for surveillance
Your digital footprint lasts forever.
Bio-inspired design
Technology based on nature
Use in STEM essays
Bio-inspired design mimics spider webs.
Ethical implications
Moral concerns
Polite and academic
We must consider the ethical implications of AI.
Cloud-based
Stored online
Tech buzzword
A cloud-based platform is more flexible.
User experience
How people feel using tech
Trendy and soft
The update improves user experience.
Repurposed tech
Old tech used differently
Creative spin
Repurposed tech can reduce waste.
🌿 NATURE & ENVIRONMENT
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Green space
Park or natural area
Positive environmental term
The city plans to expand green spaces.
Light pollution
Excessive artificial light
Scientific but polite
Light pollution affects wildlife.
Natural balance
Ecosystem harmony
Use in conservation writing
Climate change disrupts natural balance.
Ecological footprint
Environmental impact
Polite and abstract
We must reduce our ecological footprint.
Biodiverse hotspot
Area with many species
Academic and positive
The Amazon is a biodiverse hotspot.
Eco-conscious
Environmentally aware
Modern, positive term
Many teens are becoming eco-conscious.
Habitat loss
Destruction of living areas
Softer than “wiping out nature”
Urban sprawl leads to habitat loss.
Nature-positive
Supports environmental growth
Emerging trend
We need a nature-positive future.
Sustainable use
Careful resource use
Policy-friendly
Sustainable use of forests is key.
Depleted resources
Running out
Scientific and neutral
Depleted resources affect global markets.
Wildlife corridor
Animal passage
Planning term
Wildlife corridors protect migrating species.
Renewable resource
Naturally replenished
Used in discussions on energy
Solar energy is a renewable resource.
Low-impact tourism
Eco-friendly travel
Euphemism for strict rules
Low-impact tourism is encouraged in national parks.
Ecosystem services
Nature’s benefits to humans
Use in formal writing
Forests provide key ecosystem services.
Climate resilience
Ability to withstand climate change
Policy term
Coastal cities need more climate resilience.
Greening cities
Adding plants/trees
Urban trend
Greening cities improves air quality.
Conservation strategy
Plan to protect nature
Euphemistic for restrictions
A strong conservation strategy is essential.
Endangered species
At risk of extinction
Polite but serious
Zoos help protect endangered species.
Carbon offset
Compensation for emissions
Popular in eco-policy
You can buy carbon offsets when flying.
Eco-restoration
Nature recovery
Positive tone
Eco-restoration takes time and planning.
🌍 SOCIETY & GLOBAL ISSUES
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Economically challenged
Poor or developing
Formal and neutral
Support was given to economically challenged regions.
Food insecurity
Hunger or lack of food
Policy language
Food insecurity is rising in urban areas.
At-risk youth
Vulnerable young people
Used in social services
Programs target at-risk youth in the city.
Social inequality
Unequal conditions
Broad and academic
Social inequality is a growing concern.
Marginalized groups
Pushed out of mainstream society
Neutral, respectful
Policies must include marginalized groups.
Income disparity
Gap between rich and poor
Useful for economics
The income disparity continues to widen.
Underserved communities
Lack resources and services
Respectful and neutral
Healthcare is expanding in underserved communities.
Housing instability
Homelessness or frequent moving
Softens the topic
Housing instability affects student performance.
Justice-involved individuals
People with criminal records
Very soft and formal
Justice-involved individuals face job discrimination.
Substance use disorder
Drug/alcohol addiction
Modern medical term
Support is offered for those with substance use disorders.
Conflict zone
War-torn area
Neutral and factual
The region has become a conflict zone.
Forced displacement
People made to leave home
Euphemism for refugee crises
Climate change causes forced displacement.
Affordable housing shortage
Not enough cheap homes
Formal usage
The city faces an affordable housing shortage.
Economic migration
Moving for work or money
Softer than “fleeing poverty”
Many arrive through economic migration.
Social unrest
Protests, strikes, or riots
Academic and measured
The country is experiencing social unrest.
Underrepresented voices
People rarely heard or noticed
Use in cultural/social essays
The film amplifies underrepresented voices.
Historically disadvantaged
Oppressed in the past
Use when talking about race/gender/equality
Policies must address historically disadvantaged communities.
Reintegration programs
Help for former prisoners
Use in discussions on criminal justice
Reintegration programs are essential for reducing reoffending.
Systemic barriers
Built-in obstacles
Use in social justice writing
Systemic barriers limit access to education.
Gender-inclusive
Open to all gender identities
Modern and respectful
The event is gender-inclusive and welcoming.
🎓 STUDIES & EDUCATION
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Academic support
Extra help
Formal, positive
The school offers academic support in English.
Diverse learning styles
Different ways of learning
Respectful term
Teachers adapt to diverse learning styles.
Extended deadline
Late submission allowed
Use in academic writing
An extended deadline was granted.
Academic dishonesty
Cheating or plagiarism
Polite and formal
Academic dishonesty leads to serious consequences.
Independent study
Self-guided learning
Use to promote autonomy
She chose an independent study on psychology.
Educational gap
Missed knowledge
Neutral term
There’s an educational gap post-COVID.
Grade inflation
Higher grades without higher quality
Neutral and analytical
Some worry about grade inflation.
Inclusive classroom
Welcoming to all students
Progressive and neutral
An inclusive classroom benefits everyone.
Neurodiverse learners
Students with cognitive differences
Modern and respectful
Neurodiverse learners need flexible methods.
Assessment criteria
Grading rules
Use when explaining results
Check the assessment criteria carefully.
Alternative education
Non-traditional schooling
Respectful and flexible
Alternative education suits creative learners.
Academic probation
Warning for poor grades
Polite term
He was placed on academic probation.
Learning environment
School/class context
Formal term
The learning environment influences motivation.
Educator-guided
Teacher-led
Softer, less strict tone
The project was educator-guided but student-driven.
Intellectual curiosity
Interest in learning
Positive quality
Universities value intellectual curiosity.
Special accommodations
Extra help for learning differences
Inclusive term
She received special accommodations during exams.
Standardized testing
National-level tests
Formal term
Standardized testing is often controversial.
Hybrid learning
Online + in-person
Modern and flexible
Hybrid learning is here to stay.
Peer interaction
Social learning
Education-speak
Peer interaction boosts engagement.
Academic excellence
High performance
Polished term
The scholarship rewards academic excellence.
🧳 TRAVEL & LIFESTYLE
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Budget traveler
Traveling cheaply
Neutral tone
As a budget traveler, he stays in hostels.
Remote destination
Faraway place
Softer than “isolated”
They went to a remote destination in Lapland.
Cultural immersion
Deep experience of culture
Use positively
Cultural immersion helps language learning.
Seasonal work
Temporary jobs in tourism/farming
Euphemistic job term
She did seasonal work in Italy.
Working holiday
Travel while doing short-term jobs
Use in lifestyle writing
A working holiday broadened his horizons.
Culturally sensitive
Respectful toward other cultures
Diplomatic tone
Travelers should remain culturally sensitive.
Slow travel
Travel at a relaxed pace
Eco/lifestyle trend
Slow travel lets you enjoy every moment.
Digital nomad
Works online while traveling
Trendy term
She lives as a digital nomad in Portugal.
Off-season visit
Travel outside peak months
Budget-friendly phrasing
We got discounts by visiting off-season.
Hidden gem
Undiscovered place
Trendy in blogs
This café is a hidden gem in the city.
Overtourism
Too many tourists
Policy/activist language
Overtourism damages fragile ecosystems.
Sustainable tourism
Travel with minimal impact
Use in travel essays
Sustainable tourism supports local communities.
Local experience
Avoiding tourist spots
Euphemism for “authentic”
He prefers a local experience over resorts.
Wellness retreat
Travel for relaxation
Lifestyle marketing term
She booked a wellness retreat in Bali.
Culturally enriching
Educational and valuable
Use in argumentation
Travel can be culturally enriching.
Eco-lodge
Environmentally friendly accommodation
Trendy and green
They stayed in an eco-lodge by the river.
Solo travel
Traveling alone
Trendy lifestyle phrase
Solo travel helped her gain confidence.
Transit hub
Airport/train center
Use in travel analysis
Helsinki is a key transit hub.
Scenic route
Beautiful but longer path
Euphemism for detour
We took the scenic route along the coast.
Red-eye flight
Overnight flight
Softens the discomfort
We took a red-eye to London.
🌎 CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Greenhouse gas emissions
Gases causing warming
Formal and common
Greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced.
Carbon footprint
Individual impact on the planet
Very common term
Try to lower your carbon footprint.
Extreme weather event
Flood, fire, storm
Academic and soft
Extreme weather events are becoming frequent.
Climate adaptation
Adjusting to climate change
Forward-looking phrase
Cities are planning climate adaptation strategies.
Energy-efficient
Uses less power
Green-tech term
Energy-efficient buildings cut costs.
Low-emission vehicle
Eco-friendly car
Marketing term
They drive a low-emission vehicle.
Green innovation
Eco-inventive ideas
Positive and vague
Green innovation is the key to sustainability.
Climate-conscious choices
Eco-friendly decisions
Common in lifestyle writing
Climate-conscious choices include cycling to school.
Sustainable development
Growth without harm
Policy & academic term
The UN promotes sustainable development.
Eco-anxiety
Worry about the planet
Youth-related issue
More teens suffer from eco-anxiety.
Natural disaster
Earthquake, flood, etc.
Polite, formal
Natural disasters affect millions.
Zero waste
Producing no trash
Lifestyle & tech buzzword
Zero waste stores are popping up.
Environmental stewardship
Responsibility for nature
Use in argumentation
We must practice environmental stewardship.
Carbon neutral
Balanced emissions
Use in corporate/academic writing
This company is carbon neutral.
Climate tipping point
Irreversible change
Scientific term
We’re approaching a climate tipping point.
Eco-footprint
Environmental impact
Variant of carbon footprint
Flying increases your eco-footprint.
Climate-friendly
Better for the planet
Broad positive term
Climate-friendly diets include plant-based foods.
Greenwashing
Pretending to be eco-friendly
Critical euphemism
Some companies are guilty of greenwashing.
Resilient ecosystems
Systems that recover from damage
Academic tone
Resilient ecosystems can survive drought.
Urban heat island
City temperatures higher than rural areas
Formal
Urban heat islands are growing with climate change.
🧘 HOBBIES & WELL-BEING
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Me time
Personal relaxation time
Popular and relatable
Everyone needs some me time.
Digital detox
Break from screens
Modern trend
I took a digital detox last weekend.
Creative outlet
Hobby for expression
Use in mental health contexts
Painting became her creative outlet.
Unplug and unwind
Rest and relax
Lifestyle language
I unplug and unwind with a book.
Life balance
Work-rest harmony
Use in well-being writing
She’s striving for better life balance.
Low-impact activity
Easy on the body
Fitness-friendly
Yoga is a low-impact activity.
Wellness routine
Daily health habit
Common in fitness writing
His wellness routine includes meditation.
Personal growth
Self-improvement
Use in reflection
Volunteering helped my personal growth.
Mindful living
Focused, thoughtful life
Popular in blogs
Mindful living reduces stress.
Self-compassion
Being kind to oneself
Mental health term
Self-compassion helps fight burnout.
Recharge your batteries
Rest
Casual phrase
I need the weekend to recharge my batteries.
Mental reset
Pause to refocus
Positive tone
Summer break offers a mental reset.
Intentional living
Living with purpose
Lifestyle writing
She follows intentional living principles.
Hobbyist
Non-professional participant
Use in clubs/activities
I’m just a hobbyist photographer.
Well-being check-in
Reflecting on health
Modern workplace phrase
Let’s do a well-being check-in.
Restorative practice
Calming activity
Use for meditation/yoga
Journaling is a restorative practice.
Growth mindset
Belief in improvement
Academic/mental health overlap
Students with a growth mindset succeed more.
Burnout prevention
Avoiding exhaustion
Use in well-being articles
Breaks are essential for burnout prevention.
Self-paced hobby
Done at your own speed
Encouraging phrase
Writing can be a self-paced hobby.
Mental wellness
Mental health
Softer, positive term
Schools are focusing more on mental wellness.
⚧️ GENDER EQUALITY
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Gender pay gap
Difference in wages
Common academic phrase
The gender pay gap persists across many sectors.
Gender parity
Equal representation
Positive framing
The company is striving for gender parity in leadership.
Underrepresented gender
Gender group with low numbers
Inclusive tone
STEM fields still lack the underrepresented gender.
Non-binary identity
Not identifying strictly as male/female
Modern, inclusive
The form now includes a non-binary identity option.
Gender-diverse team
Mixed-gender group
Positive framing
A gender-diverse team improves collaboration.
Gender-sensitive policy
Aware of gender differences
Use in formal writing
Schools implement gender-sensitive policies.
Glass ceiling
Invisible limit to promotion
Metaphor for gender barriers
Many women face the glass ceiling in corporate life.
Male-dominated field
Mostly men
Neutral phrasing
Engineering is often seen as a male-dominated field.
Breaking gender norms
Challenging stereotypes
Use in essays
She’s breaking gender norms by becoming a firefighter.
Gender-inclusive language
Avoids bias
Popular writing topic
Gender-inclusive language promotes fairness.
Implicit bias
Unconscious gender prejudice
Use in argumentative texts
Implicit bias affects hiring practices.
Feminine-coded/masculine-coded
Gender-associated traits
Use in social commentary
Teaching is still seen as feminine-coded work.
Equal opportunity employer
Treats all fairly
Official tone
The firm describes itself as an equal opportunity employer.
Work–life balance for all
Shared family/work roles
Euphemism for equal parenting
Work–life balance for all is a key goal.
Gender-sensitive training
Awareness-raising education
Use in workplace contexts
Staff attended gender-sensitive training.
Flexible parental leave
Shared child-care leave
Modern policy term
Flexible parental leave encourages equality at home.
Gender mainstreaming
Adding gender perspective to all decisions
Use in academic writing
Gender mainstreaming improves policy outcomes.
Feminist ally
Male supporter of equality
Diplomatic label
He identifies as a feminist ally.
Gender-blind approach
No attention to gender
Criticized in some contexts
A gender-blind approach may ignore real inequalities.
Representation matters
Seeing your gender/identity reflected
Common slogan
In politics and media, representation matters.
🧠 MENTAL HEALTH
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Emotional well-being
Mental health
Softer phrasing
Schools should promote emotional well-being.
Mental wellness
Positive mental health
Trendy and optimistic
Mental wellness starts with sleep and support.
Struggling silently
Hiding mental pain
Common in youth topics
Many teens are struggling silently.
Inner challenges
Emotional/psychological difficulties
Soft tone
She’s facing inner challenges after the breakup.
Seeking help
Going to therapy
Encouraging phrase
There’s no shame in seeking help.
Coping mechanisms
Ways to deal with stress
Psychological term
Some develop healthy coping mechanisms, others don’t.
Psychological safety
Safe to express feelings
Workplace & school use
Classrooms must ensure psychological safety.
Neurodivergent
Different brain wiring (e.g., ADHD)
Inclusive term
Neurodivergent students thrive with support.
Mood disorder
Depression, bipolar, etc.
Medical euphemism
Mood disorders are more common than you think.
Burnout
Emotional exhaustion
Common and student-relevant
She took a break due to burnout.
Social withdrawal
Isolating oneself
Soft alternative to depression
Social withdrawal is often a warning sign.
Crisis support
Emergency mental health help
Use in public services
They offer 24/7 crisis support.
Low motivation
Lack of interest or drive
Less harsh than “lazy”
Low motivation can be a symptom, not a weakness.
Feeling overwhelmed
Emotionally overloaded
Gentle expression
He was feeling overwhelmed and needed rest.
Invisible illness
Illness without physical symptoms
Used to build empathy
Depression is often an invisible illness.
Mental health days
Time off for emotional rest
Common in youth contexts
Some schools allow mental health days.
Wellness break
Brief pause for self-care
Positive spin
Take a wellness break to recharge.
Personal struggles
Difficult experiences
Very broad, polite
Everyone has personal struggles sometimes.
Emotional fatigue
Drained feelings
Often used in work/school settings
Constant stress can cause emotional fatigue.
Mind–body connection
Link between emotions and physical health
Use in health essays
Yoga helps strengthen the mind–body connection.
🚗 TRAFFIC & DRIVING
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Traffic incident
Accident
Neutral and formal
There was a traffic incident on the highway.
Driver error
Human mistake
Often used in reports
The crash was caused by driver error.
Heavy congestion
Traffic jam
Urban planning term
Heavy congestion delayed the bus.
Reduced visibility
Hard to see
Weather-related
Fog caused reduced visibility.
Over the speed limit
Speeding
Neutral phrasing
He was caught driving over the speed limit.
Careless driving
Not paying attention
Legal euphemism
Careless driving leads to fines.
Driving under the influence
Drunk driving
Formal legal term
Driving under the influence is a major offense.
Distracted driving
Using phone/texting
Used in safety campaigns
Distracted driving causes accidents.
Traffic calming
Slowing cars
Euphemism for speed bumps or narrowing roads
Traffic calming measures were added near schools.
Vehicle malfunction
Car problem
Used to avoid blaming driver
The crash was caused by a vehicle malfunction.
Road user
Pedestrian, cyclist, or driver
Inclusive term
All road users must obey the rules.
Aggressive driving
Road rage
Polite and formal
Aggressive driving puts others at risk.
Reduced speed zone
Area with lower limits
Polite for “slow area”
You’re entering a reduced speed zone.
Driver fatigue
Sleepy or exhausted driver
Polite warning term
Driver fatigue is a major safety concern.
Traffic flow optimization
Smoother driving
Used in planning
New lights aim for traffic flow optimization.
Unlicensed operator
Driver without a license
Legal jargon
An unlicensed operator caused the collision.
Collision avoidance system
Tech to prevent crashes
Use in tech or car ads
New cars come with collision avoidance systems.
Close call
Nearly an accident
Casual euphemism
That was a close call at the intersection.
Speed enforcement
Catching speeders
Euphemism for traffic police or cameras
Speed enforcement is active near the tunnel.
Traffic violation
Breaking road rules
General legal term
She was fined for a traffic violation.
🕵️ CRIME
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Criminal activity
Illegal acts
Neutral blanket term
The area has seen increased criminal activity.
Unlawful behavior
Breaking the law
Academic/legal tone
The suspect engaged in unlawful behavior.
Financial misconduct
Stealing or cheating with money
Use in white-collar crime
The company’s CEO was fired for financial misconduct.
Taking without permission
Theft
Polite and child-friendly
He was caught taking without permission.
Wrongdoing
General misbehavior
Useful for vague situations
She denied any wrongdoing.
Breaking and entering
Entering a building illegally
Common legal euphemism
He was charged with breaking and entering.
Repeat offender
Person who commits crimes again
Use in argumentation
Rehabilitation is harder for repeat offenders.
Petty theft
Minor stealing
Use in legal or formal texts
He was convicted of petty theft.
White-collar crime
Fraud, embezzlement
Euphemism for business-related crime
White-collar crime often goes unnoticed.
Non-violent offense
Crime without physical harm
Use when discussing justice reform
Non-violent offenses should be treated differently.
Serving time
In prison
Casual euphemism
He’s currently serving time for robbery.
Correctional facility
Prison
Polite, formal alternative
She works at a correctional facility.
Incarcerated individual
Prisoner
Neutral and respectful
Support programs help incarcerated individuals rebuild.
Youth detention
Juvenile prison
Softer expression
He was sent to youth detention at 16.
Criminal record
History of offenses
Formal term
A criminal record can affect employment.
Law enforcement
Police
Formal, neutral
Law enforcement responded quickly.
Organized activity
Organized crime
Euphemism in reports
Authorities are investigating organized activity.
Illegal possession
Having something forbidden (e.g., drugs, weapons)
Formal
He was charged with illegal possession.
Misuse of authority
Abuse of power
Often in political contexts
The mayor resigned over allegations of misuse of authority.
Under investigation
Being looked into
Use to avoid direct accusation
The matter is still under investigation.
🏃♂️ HEALTH & FITNESS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Under the weather
Feeling ill
Informal, friendly tone
She’s feeling under the weather today.
Carrying a few extra pounds
Slightly overweight
Polite alternative
He joked about carrying a few extra pounds.
In shape
Fit and healthy
Common and positive
She works out to stay in shape.
Let oneself go
Stopped exercising/self-care
Semi-polite
After the holidays, he let himself go.
Health-conscious
Focused on well-being
Trendy, positive term
Health-conscious people avoid processed foods.
Getting on in years
Aging
Mild and respectful
He’s getting on in years but still runs daily.
Minor procedure
Small operation
Medical euphemism
She had a minor procedure on her knee.
Well-rounded diet
Balanced eating
Common health advice
A well-rounded diet includes all food groups.
Watch one’s intake
Be careful with food/drink
Soft warning
You should watch your sugar intake.
Take a break
Pause from exercise
Encouraging self-care
Even athletes need to take a break sometimes.
A bit rusty
Out of practice
Friendly tone
I’m a bit rusty at yoga after the break.
Detox
Cleanse body
Trendy, vague term
Many people go on a detox after New Year’s.
Trim down
Lose weight
Polite alternative
He’s trying to trim down before summer.
Tighten up
Build muscle tone
Common in fitness ads
These exercises help tighten up your core.
Reboot your system
Reset your health habits
Buzzword-y
It’s time to reboot your system with clean eating.
No stranger to the gym
Goes regularly
Friendly way of saying fit
She’s no stranger to the gym, clearly.
Low-impact exercise
Gentle activity
For injury or seniors
Swimming is great as a low-impact exercise.
Feeling sluggish
Low energy
Soft way to say tired/unwell
I’m feeling sluggish after all that pizza.
Mind–body balance
Harmony between emotions and health
Wellness lingo
Yoga is all about mind–body balance.
Get back on track
Resume healthy habits
Positive framing
This week, I’m getting back on track.
🗳️ POLITICS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Alternative facts
False claims
Often used ironically
The politician defended his statement as alternative facts.
Working across the aisle
Cooperating with other parties
Used in diplomacy
He is known for working across the aisle.
Grassroots movement
Community-based initiative
Positive framing
The policy began as a grassroots movement.
Spin
Biased presentation of facts
Often critical
The minister put a positive spin on the budget.
Soft power
Cultural/diplomatic influence
Often contrasted with military
Finland exercises soft power through education.
Regime change
Overthrowing a government
Euphemism in foreign policy
They supported regime change in the region.
Special military operation
Invasion or attack
Euphemism for war
The government called it a special military operation.
Political correctness
Avoiding offensive language
Sometimes used pejoratively
Some view political correctness as restricting speech.
Campaign promises
Pledges made to win votes
Often broken
Many campaign promises never materialize.
Public servant
Government worker
Positive phrasing
She’s a public servant in the Ministry of Education.
Electoral setback
Lost election or bad result
Polite phrasing
The party suffered an electoral setback.
Policy shift
Change in rules/laws
Neutral phrasing
There’s been a major policy shift in immigration.
Under scrutiny
Being investigated
Used for politicians
The minister is under scrutiny for spending habits.
Make tough choices
Cut services or raise taxes
Used in speeches
Governments must sometimes make tough choices.
Populist rhetoric
Appealing to public emotions
Often critical
Populist rhetoric won them quick support.
Level playing field
Equal chances
Positive phrasing
We aim to create a level playing field for all.
Coalition talks
Negotiations between parties
Use in parliamentary systems
Coalition talks are ongoing after the election.
Transparency issues
Secrecy or cover-ups
Polite wording
The government faces transparency issues.
Sound policy
Well-designed laws
Used to praise decisions
This is a sound policy with long-term benefits.
On the fence
Undecided
Common in political debate
Many voters are still on the fence.
✝️ RELIGION & BELIEF
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Called home
Died
Religious euphemism for death
He was called home last Sunday.
Higher power
God or divine force
Inclusive term
Some believe in a higher power guiding us.
Practicing
Actively religious
Common adjective
He’s a practicing Catholic.
Spiritual but not religious
Believes in something, not organized religion
Modern identity
She identifies as spiritual but not religious.
Worship space
Church, mosque, temple
Inclusive term
A new worship space opened in the city center.
Faith-based organization
Religious charity/group
Use in neutral writing
They partner with faith-based organizations.
Religious calling
Feeling drawn to a faith role
Use in essays or interviews
She answered her religious calling at 20.
Sacred traditions
Important religious customs
Neutral, respectful
The sacred traditions are passed down each generation.
Interfaith dialogue
Conversation between religions
Promotes peace & tolerance
Interfaith dialogue is key in diverse societies.
Religious holiday
Holy day
Inclusive alternative
Many students observe religious holidays.
Passed away
Died
Polite euphemism
Her grandfather passed away last night.
Blessing in disguise
Unexpected good outcome
Based in religious language
Losing that job was a blessing in disguise.
Observant
Follows religious rules
Respectful label
She’s an observant Jew.
Eternal rest
Death
Church usage
He was laid to eternal rest yesterday.
Take the moral high ground
Act ethically
Polite way to praise behavior
They took the moral high ground in the debate.
Scriptural values
Values from holy texts
Use in faith discussions
The school promotes scriptural values.
Religious freedom
Right to practice any faith
Used in law and society
Religious freedom is a basic right.
Outreach
Faith-based support work
Used by religious groups
Church outreach helps homeless youth.
Come to faith
Convert to a religion
Gentle way to express change
He came to faith in his twenties.
Seek enlightenment
Search for truth or purpose
Often in Buddhism
Many travel east to seek enlightenment.
💻 DIGITAL LIFE & SOCIAL MEDIA
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Curate your feed
Choose what to follow
Buzzword, social media
Teens are advised to curate their feed for positivity.
Digital detox
Taking a break from screens
Trendy health term
A weekend digital detox felt refreshing.
Go viral
Spread quickly online
Informal media slang
Her dance video went viral overnight.
Online persona
How one presents oneself
Euphemism for image crafting
His online persona is very different from real life.
Echo chamber
Space with only like-minded views
Critical tone
Social media can become an echo chamber.
Troll
Person who provokes others
Euphemism for online bully
Don’t feed the trolls.
Digital footprint
Online history
Used in tech education
Think before you post — your digital footprint matters.
Sharing economy
Online platform-based services
Business euphemism
The sharing economy includes Airbnb and Uber.
Unplug
Disconnect from tech
Gentle phrasing
She decided to unplug for the evening.
Online presence
Activity on the internet
Often in job contexts
He maintains a strong online presence.
Clickbait
Misleading headline
Euphemism for manipulation
That article was pure clickbait.
Oversharing
Posting too much personal info
Common teen concern
She tends to overshare on Instagram.
User-generated content
Content made by people, not companies
Media studies term
TikTok thrives on user-generated content.
Filter bubble
Personalized content trap
Critical digital term
Algorithms can create a filter bubble.
Tech fatigue
Overwhelmed by devices
Soft way to say screen burnout
Many students report tech fatigue.
Influencer
Social media personality
Euphemism for paid promoter
She works as a beauty influencer.
Upvote/downvote
Approve/disapprove online
Common Reddit lingo
Users can upvote helpful comments.
Reframe the narrative
Change how something’s seen
Used in media analysis
The campaign reframed the narrative on privacy.
Algorithmic bias
Prejudice in computer decision-making
Digital ethics topic
Algorithmic bias affects job ads and policing.
Mute/unfollow
Stop seeing content without unfriending
Polite action
She muted him after too many rants.
💼 WORK & CAREERS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Let go
Fired or laid off
Polite, formal tone
He was let go during company downsizing.
Downsizing
Reducing staff
Business term
The company is undergoing downsizing.
Pursuing new opportunities
Unemployed or job hunting
Resume-friendly
I’m currently pursuing new opportunities.
Between jobs
Unemployed
Softer alternative
He’s between jobs right now.
Overqualified
Too experienced (rejected)
Polite rejection term
They said I was overqualified for the role.
Stepped down
Resigned from position
Used for leaders
The CEO stepped down last month.
In transition
Changing careers or roles
Vague but positive
I’m currently in transition career-wise.
Took early retirement
Left job before official age
Polite phrase
He took early retirement at 55.
Team player
Cooperative person
Popular job description
We need a team player for this role.
Flexible hours
Unpredictable or long hours
Euphemism in ads
The job offers flexible hours.
Growth opportunity
Promotion or challenge ahead
Appealing in ads
It’s a great growth opportunity.
Self-starter
Works independently
Resume buzzword
They’re looking for a self-starter.
Performance review
Evaluation of work
Can include criticism
My performance review is next week.
Temporary assignment
Short-term job
Softer than “gig”
I’m on a temporary assignment in sales.
Resource reallocation
Cutting jobs or departments
Business jargon
There’s been some resource reallocation.
Laid off
Lost job due to company, not self
Neutral term
She was laid off during the merger.
Lateral move
Changing to an equal role
Avoids saying “no promotion”
He made a lateral move to marketing.
Contractor
Not permanent staff
Modern job label
I work as an independent contractor.
Career break
Pause from work
Polite phrasing
She took a career break to raise her kids.
Outplacement
Support after job loss
HR euphemism
They offer outplacement services after layoffs.
👵 AGING & DEATH
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Passed away
Died
Common, polite
Her grandmother passed away yesterday.
No longer with us
Died
Polite and vague
He’s no longer with us.
Departed
Died
Formal, poetic
We remember the departed with love.
Late (e.g. the late Mr Smith)
Deceased
Formal/obituary use
The late professor was much respected.
In a better place
Died (religious comfort)
Common at funerals
We believe she’s in a better place now.
Gone to sleep
Died (used for children)
Very gentle
He just went to sleep forever.
Meet one’s maker
Died
Religious/humorous
He finally met his maker.
Kicked the bucket
Died
Humorous/slang
He kicked the bucket at 92.
Six feet under
Dead and buried
Colloquial, informal
He’s six feet under now.
Over the hill
Getting old
Joking, mild insult
You’re 40 now – over the hill!
Senior citizen
Elderly person
Respectful term
Senior citizens get a discount.
Golden years
Retirement age
Positive spin
They’re enjoying their golden years.
Chronologically gifted
Old
Playful, joking
My dad says he’s just chronologically gifted.
Retired from life
Died
Euphemistic phrase
He has officially retired from life.
Well-preserved
Looks young for age
Compliment with edge
She’s 70 and well-preserved.
Vintage
Old, in a classy way
Positive spin
He’s not old—he’s vintage.
Resting in peace
Dead (religious or formal)
Common phrase
May he rest in peace.
Checked out
Died
Casual/slang
He checked out last week.
Final journey
Death
Used in eulogies
Her final journey was peaceful.
Third act of life
Old age
Used in writing/speeches
They embraced their third act with joy.
⚔️ WAR & CONFLICT
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Collateral damage
Unintended civilian harm
Military-speak
There was significant collateral damage.
Friendly fire
Accidental shooting by own side
Cold, technical term
The deaths were due to friendly fire.
Kinetic operation
Use of military force
Politically vague
They launched a kinetic operation at dawn.
Neutralize the target
Kill or destroy
Sanitized military term
The target was neutralized.
Conflict zone
War area
Vague but common
Journalists avoid conflict zones.
Engage the enemy
Attack or fight
Euphemistic
Troops engaged the enemy at 0500.
Humanitarian intervention
Military aid framed as help
Politically loaded
It was a humanitarian intervention.
Detained
Captured or imprisoned
Legal term
The suspect was detained by security forces.
Boots on the ground
Troops deployed
Euphemism for war presence
We have boots on the ground now.
Air support
Bombing or air strikes
Softer phrasing
We’re calling in air support.
Regime change
Overthrow government
Politically euphemistic
They supported regime change.
Ceasefire
Pause in war
Common term
A ceasefire was declared on Monday.
Tensions escalated
Fighting broke out
Vague media phrasing
Tensions escalated in the region.
Precision strike
Targeted bombing
Sounds technical
A precision strike hit the convoy.
Security operation
Military action
Euphemism for crackdown
A major security operation is underway.
Non-combatant
Civilian
Military jargon
Non-combatants were caught in the crossfire.
De-escalation
Reduce violence
Peace talk term
We urge de-escalation in the area.
Enhanced interrogation
Torture
Controversial euphemism
The use of enhanced interrogation was condemned.
Strategic withdrawal
Retreat
Polite phrasing
A strategic withdrawal was ordered.
Hostile engagement
Firefight or attack
Cold and formal
There was a hostile engagement at the border.
💘 RELATIONSHIPS & DATING
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Seeing someone
Dating
Vague, common
Are you seeing someone right now?
On a break
Temporarily not together
Made famous by sitcoms
We’re on a break – don’t ask!
It’s complicated
Unclear relationship status
Facebook-famous
Our status? It’s complicated.
Hook up
Casual physical meeting
Informal/slang
They hooked up at the party.
Move on
Emotionally recover
Common breakup term
It’s time to move on.
No strings attached
Casual relationship
Often used online
It was a no-strings-attached thing.
Fell out of love
Grew apart emotionally
Used in breakups
They just fell out of love.
Seeing other people
Not exclusive
Euphemism for dating others
We’re seeing other people now.
Go your separate ways
Break up
Polite phrasing
They decided to go their separate ways.
Had a thing
Brief romance
Casual, vague
They had a thing last summer.
Friends with benefits
Friends + physical relationship
Euphemism for casual sex
They’re just friends with benefits.
Rebound
New relationship after breakup
Often short-term
Is she just a rebound?
Take a step back
Pause or slow relationship
Polite softening
We’re taking a step back for now.
Seeing where it goes
Uncertain relationship stage
Polite vagueness
We’re just seeing where it goes.
Emotionally unavailable
Not ready for love
Polite excuse
He’s emotionally unavailable.
Parted ways
Broke up
Formal/neutral tone
They parted ways last month.
Fooling around
Casual physical contact
Playful/slang
They were fooling around in high school.
The spark is gone
No longer attracted
Polite explanation
We stayed friends, but the spark was gone.
Open relationship
Partners see others
Used in polyamory contexts
They’re in an open relationship.
Seeing someone else
Dating a new person
Often used in breakups
He’s seeing someone else now.
👨👩👧👦 FAMILY & PARENTING
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Bundle of joy
Baby
Cheerful, affectionate
They welcomed a new bundle of joy last week.
Expecting
Pregnant
Common, polite
She’s expecting in November.
Got a bun in the oven
Pregnant
Informal, playful
She’s got a bun in the oven again!
Blessing in disguise
Unexpected but positive child
Used in reflection
Our surprise baby turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Unplanned blessing
Unplanned pregnancy
Gentle term
It was an unplanned blessing.
Stay-at-home parent
Doesn’t work outside the home
Modern term
He’s a stay-at-home dad now.
Little one
Child
Warm and generic
We need to pick up the little one.
Empty nest
Children have moved out
Often used by parents
They’re adjusting to an empty nest.
Family time
Time spent with loved ones
Positive phrase
We prioritize family time on weekends.
Quality time
Meaningful time with family
Common parenting term
She makes sure to spend quality time with her kids.
Helicopter parent
Overprotective parent
Slightly critical
He’s a bit of a helicopter parent.
Tiger parent
Strict, high-expectation parent
Often cultural
Her mom is a real tiger parent.
Blended family
Step-family
Modern, inclusive term
They’re a happy blended family.
Chosen family
Close friends treated as family
LGBTQ+ inclusive
She’s part of my chosen family.
In the family way
Pregnant
Old-fashioned, polite
She’s in the family way.
Discipline issues
Child misbehavior
Softer phrasing
The teacher noted some discipline issues.
Time-out
Non-punitive punishment
Common parenting term
He had to sit in time-out.
Difficult phase
Bad behavior period
Neutral phrase
She’s just going through a difficult phase.
Split custody
Shared parenting after divorce
Legal and emotional term
They agreed on split custody.
Hands full
Managing many children
Euphemistic understatement
With four kids, she’s got her hands full.
💰 ECONOMICS & MONEY
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Economically challenged
Poor
Polite and formal
Many families are economically challenged.
Tight on cash
Low on money
Common, casual
We’re a bit tight on cash this month.
Financially stretched
Facing financial strain
More formal
Many students are financially stretched.
Living paycheck to paycheck
Barely managing
Realistic expression
Millions live paycheck to paycheck.
Make ends meet
Manage financially
Common phrase
They struggle to make ends meet.
On a budget
Spending carefully
Often sounds positive
We’re traveling on a budget.
Cost-cutting
Reducing expenses
Business term
The school introduced cost-cutting measures.
Downsized lifestyle
Reduced expenses
Euphemistic for decline
They’re living a downsized lifestyle.
Negative cash flow
Losing money
Business-speak
The company faces negative cash flow.
Rainy day fund
Emergency savings
Positive financial planning term
Use your rainy day fund wisely.
Affordable housing
Low-cost accommodation
Formal/neutral
They need more affordable housing.
Economically viable
Financially possible
Polished phrasing
The plan must be economically viable.
Price adjustment
Price increase
Polite marketing term
A price adjustment is coming in August.
Creative financing
Risky financial methods
Used in real estate
They used creative financing to buy the house.
Under the table
Cash payments (often illegal)
Informal, shady
He’s paid under the table.
Financial setback
Loss or hardship
Neutral tone
They suffered a financial setback last year.
Temporary hardship
Short-term poverty
Hopeful tone
It’s just a temporary hardship.
Cost of living crisis
Prices too high to live comfortably
Modern media term
The cost of living crisis affects us all.
Economic slowdown
Recession
Softer term
We’re facing an economic slowdown.
Subsidized
Government-assisted
Often in education/housing
They live in subsidized housing.
⚖️ LAW & JUSTICE
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Incarcerated
In prison
Formal/legal term
He was incarcerated for five years.
Correctional facility
Prison
Neutral/formal
He works in a correctional facility.
Serving time
In prison
Colloquial
She’s serving time for theft.
In custody
Arrested or detained
Police/legal usage
The suspect is in custody.
Did time
Was imprisoned
Informal/slang
He did time in his twenties.
Behind bars
In jail
Figurative and clear
She’s behind bars for fraud.
In trouble with the law
Committed a crime
Vague and soft
He’s in trouble with the law again.
Taken into custody
Arrested
Formal
She was taken into custody peacefully.
Person of interest
Possible suspect
Neutral phrasing
He’s a person of interest in the case.
Rehabilitation
Reforming criminals
Positive emphasis
The prison focuses on rehabilitation.
Alleged offender
Not yet proven guilty
Legal caution
The alleged offender denied charges.
Mistaken identity
Wrong person arrested
Euphemism for error
It turned out to be mistaken identity.
Plea bargain
Deal to reduce sentence
Legal process term
He accepted a plea bargain.
Juvenile delinquent
Young lawbreaker
Formal/legal
He was labeled a juvenile delinquent.
Early release
Let out of prison early
Neutral phrasing
He was granted early release.
Wrong side of the law
Committed a crime
Euphemistic
She ended up on the wrong side of the law.
White-collar crime
Non-violent business crime
Polite phrase
He’s accused of white-collar crime.
Unlawful activity
Illegal act
Formal/legal
They were involved in unlawful activity.
Remanded
Held in custody before trial
Court term
He was remanded until his hearing.
Gone straight
Stopped committing crimes
Informal/redeeming
He did time and now he’s gone straight.
🧠 TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Digital native
Born into the tech world
Positive label
Gen Z are digital natives.
Tech-savvy
Good with technology
Often a compliment
She’s incredibly tech-savvy.
Digitally literate
Able to use digital tools
Educational term
Digital literacy is essential today.
User-friendly
Easy to use
Design/marketing term
This app is very user-friendly.
Beta version
Test version
Implying “still in progress”
We’re testing the beta version.
Glitch
Minor tech error
Softer than “crash”
There was a glitch in the system.
Tech hiccup
Temporary problem
Casual and light
We had a tech hiccup during class.
Next-gen
Advanced/new
Hype term
This is a next-gen console.
Cloud-based
Online service
Trendy tech term
Our school uses cloud-based tools.
Digital detox
Time offline
Trendy self-care term
I’m doing a digital detox this weekend.
Disruptive technology
Game-changing tech
Often positive
AI is a disruptive technology.
Smart [device]
Internet-enabled device
Buzzword
She uses a smart thermostat.
Connectivity issues
Internet problems
Vague but polite
Sorry, I had connectivity issues.
Automated solution
Tech doing human work
Polished phrasing
The company introduced automated solutions.
Remote access
Work from anywhere
Tech workplace term
I have remote access to my files.
Virtual presence
Online participation
Common in remote learning
She maintained a strong virtual presence.
Digital footprint
Online data trail
Common in media literacy
Watch your digital footprint.
Down for maintenance
Not working (temporarily)
Polite phrasing
The website is down for maintenance.
Cyber incident
Hack or attack
Understated IT language
The company suffered a cyber incident.
Upgrade
Replacement or improvement
Positive spin
We upgraded our entire system.
🍔 FOOD & BODY IMAGE
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Full-figured
Overweight
More respectful
She’s a confident, full-figured model.
Plus-size
Larger clothing size
Common and accepted
The shop now offers plus-size ranges.
Curvy
With prominent body shape
Neutral-to-positive
She’s proud to be curvy.
Big-boned
Overweight
Gentle, old-fashioned
He’s just big-boned.
Body-positive
Embracing all shapes
Modern, empowering
She promotes body-positive messages online.
Healthy appetite
Eats a lot
Positive spin
He’s got a healthy appetite!
Watch one’s figure
Dieting
Indirect phrasing
I’m watching my figure.
Carry extra weight
Slightly overweight
Kind phrasing
He’s carrying a bit of extra weight.
Well-nourished
Fat (old-fashioned euphemism)
Now outdated, ironic
The dog was certainly well-nourished.
Thick
Curvy/fuller figure
Can be positive slang
She’s proud to be thick and strong.
Let oneself go
Gained weight or looks aged
Common but harsh
He’s really let himself go.
Watch what you eat
Eat less/healthily
Common advice
I try to watch what I eat.
Cheat meal
Eat unhealthy food on diet
Fitness term
Saturday is my cheat meal day.
Portion control
Eat less
Nutrition term
She practices portion control.
Health-conscious
Focused on health
Polite
He’s very health-conscious.
“Comfort food”
Unhealthy food
Euphemism for indulgence
After a bad day, I turn to comfort food.
Big eater
Eats a lot
Neutral
He’s a big eater at holidays.
Indulgent
Rich/unhealthy
Classy food term
This cake is so indulgent.
Dad bod
Slightly overweight male body
Humorous trend term
He’s rocking the dad bod.
Fluffy
Overweight (very lighthearted)
Humorous, gentle
He’s not fat—he’s just fluffy!
🏛️ HISTORY & POLITICS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Collateral damage
Civilian casualties
Military euphemism
The airstrike caused collateral damage.
Enhanced interrogation
Torture
Controversial euphemism
The report condemned enhanced interrogation techniques.
Regime change
Overthrowing a government
Diplomatic phrase
The country supported regime change abroad.
Covert operation
Secret mission
Intelligence term
It was a covert operation.
Strategic withdrawal
Retreat
Makes retreat sound planned
The army executed a strategic withdrawal.
Friendly fire
Accidentally killing allies
Military euphemism
The incident was caused by friendly fire.
Diplomatic solution
Peaceful resolution
Political spin
They’re seeking a diplomatic solution.
Tensions escalated
Violence or conflict increased
Understates danger
Tensions escalated near the border.
Occupied territory
Land taken during war
Politically charged
The area is considered occupied territory.
Undocumented immigrants
People in a country illegally
Polite term
They employ undocumented immigrants.
Ethnic cleansing
Forced removal or genocide
Euphemism for atrocities
The UN investigated cases of ethnic cleansing.
Special military operation
Invasion
Euphemistic propaganda
It was labeled a special military operation.
Nation-building
Reconstructing countries
Often US foreign policy term
Troops focused on nation-building.
Hostile takeover
Aggressive acquisition
Business/political term
The company faced a hostile takeover.
Foreign intervention
Military or political interference
Understates disruption
The region experienced foreign intervention.
Truth adjustment
Lying or propaganda
Ironic or sarcastic
That speech included a few truth adjustments.
Economic sanctions
Trade penalties
Common diplomatic term
They imposed economic sanctions.
Supreme leader
Authoritarian ruler
Flattering title
The supreme leader announced reforms.
Peacekeepers
Military forces
Euphemistic if armed
UN peacekeepers were deployed.
Political correctness
Inclusive or filtered language
Sometimes used ironically
He avoids offence through political correctness.
👗 FASHION & STYLE
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Fashion-forward
Trendy
Positive spin
She’s always been fashion-forward.
Well put-together
Looks stylish/neat
Polite & respectful
He’s a well put-together guy.
Timeless
Not trendy, but classic
Compliment for older looks
Her dress was timeless.
Retro
Old-fashioned (in a trendy way)
Trend-based
He’s into retro streetwear.
Vintage
Old but classy
Fancier than “used”
I love shopping for vintage clothes.
Second-hand
Used clothes
More accepted than “used”
She wears a lot of second-hand finds.
Pre-loved
Gently used
Polite marketing term
Check out these pre-loved jackets.
Statement piece
Bold fashion item
Positive fashion term
That necklace is a real statement piece.
Figure-flattering
Emphasizes body shape
Common in ads
This top is so figure-flattering.
Snug fit
Tight clothing
Polite term
It’s a snug fit around the waist.
Relaxed fit
Looser cut
Trendy term
These jeans are a relaxed fit.
Bold choice
Unusual or risky
Polite way of saying odd
That hat was a bold choice.
Edgy
Trendy and rebellious
Used in fashion talk
Her style is really edgy.
Understated
Elegant and simple
Polite praise
He has an understated style.
Over-the-top
Very flashy
Often used humorously
The look was a bit over-the-top.
A pop of color
Bright detail
Fashion phrase
Add a pop of color with red shoes.
Wardrobe malfunction
Clothing error/slip
Common in media
She had a minor wardrobe malfunction.
Fashion risk
Unusual outfit
Slightly critical, often humorous
He took a fashion risk.
Boho
Bohemian, hippie style
Fashion trend term
She loves the boho aesthetic.
Effortlessly chic
Casual but elegant
High praise
She looked effortlessly chic.
🏅 SPORTS & COMPETITION
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Gave it their all
Tried hard
Encouraging tone
The team gave it their all.
Came up short
Didn’t win
Gentle loss phrase
They came up short in the final.
On the sidelines
Not actively participating
Figurative and literal
He’s been on the sidelines lately.
Personal best
Best individual result
Encouraging tone
She ran a personal best today.
Off day
Performed badly
Forgiving tone
He had an off day at the race.
Stepped up
Took responsibility
Praising phrase
She stepped up when needed.
Game-changer
A big impact
Common sports/media term
That goal was a game-changer.
Left it all on the field
Gave maximum effort
Emotional phrase
They left it all on the field.
Not their strongest performance
Played poorly
Tactful phrasing
It wasn’t their strongest performance.
Built character
Lost, but learned
Consoling phrase
Losing builds character.
Overcame adversity
Faced challenges
Heroic tone
They overcame adversity to win.
Momentum shift
Change in dominance
Common in commentary
There was a momentum shift at halftime.
Got the job done
Succeeded
Confident tone
They got the job done.
Narrow win
Close victory
Polite phrase
It was a narrow win for our team.
Learning opportunity
Failure
Positive spin
It was a learning opportunity.
Solid effort
Tried well
Polite, neutral
The team put in a solid effort.
Put up a fight
Resisted defeat
Praising phrase
They put up a real fight.
Played by the book
Followed rules
Implies fairness
The referee played by the book.
Under the radar
Not noticed but effective
Sports journalism term
He’s been under the radar this season.
Hung in there
Didn’t give up
Resilient praise
They really hung in there.
☕ SOCIAL ETIQUETTE & MANNERS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Passed away
Died
Standard polite form
Her grandfather passed away.
In a delicate condition
Pregnant
Old-fashioned & formal
She’s in a delicate condition.
Expecting
Pregnant
Polite, common
They’re expecting in November.
Let go
Fired
Gentle business term
He was let go last month.
Didn’t see eye to eye
Disagreed
Polite phrase
They didn’t see eye to eye on politics.
Being economical with the truth
Lying
Ironically polite
He was being economical with the truth.
Taking a personal day
Off work for rest
Workplace euphemism
I’m taking a personal day tomorrow.
Well-spoken
Polite and articulate
Common praise
She’s very well-spoken.
Under the weather
Sick
Casual and polite
I’m feeling under the weather.
Over-served
Drunk
Amusing euphemism
He got a bit over-served last night.
Restroom
Toilet
Common polite term
Where’s the restroom?
Powder one’s nose
Use the toilet
Old-fashioned and coy
Excuse me, I need to powder my nose.
Put it delicately
Speak carefully
For awkward topics
Let me put this delicately…
Passed wind
Farted
Common polite version
Someone passed wind in class.
“Between jobs”
Unemployed
Gentle phrasing
He’s currently between jobs.
Not quite right in the head
Mentally ill
Often outdated, sometimes mocking
He’s not quite right in the head.
Tired and emotional
Drunk
British political euphemism
The MP was tired and emotional.
Tactfully avoided
Dodged the topic
Neutral & polite
She tactfully avoided the question.
Raised voices
Argued or yelled
Euphemistic
Things escalated and voices were raised.
Had a moment
Lost control briefly
Very soft and polite
She had a moment and stepped outside.
🏠 HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Between homes
Homeless
Gentle and less stigmatizing
He’s been between homes for a few months.
In transition
Temporarily without stable housing
Soft and hopeful
She’s currently in transition.
Temporary shelter
Homeless shelter
Polite phrase
They found refuge in a temporary shelter.
Housing insecure
At risk of losing home
Formal, social work term
Many families are housing insecure.
Couch surfing
Staying temporarily at friends’ places
Casual and common
He’s been couch surfing lately.
Marginalized
Socially excluded, including homeless
Used in reports
Marginalized people need support.
Low-income housing
Affordable housing
Neutral, policy term
They live in low-income housing.
Rough sleeping
Sleeping outdoors
Social services term
Rough sleeping is a serious issue.
Displaced
Forced to leave home
Often due to crisis
Many were displaced by the flood.
Without permanent address
Homeless
Neutral, formal
He’s without a permanent address.
In need of housing
Homeless or unstable
Polite social work term
Many are in need of housing.
At risk of eviction
Close to losing home
Legal/policy term
Several tenants are at risk of eviction.
Facing homelessness
About to lose home
Gentle phrase
They’re facing homelessness after job loss.
Temporary accommodation
Short-term housing
Neutral
They stayed in temporary accommodation.
Financially challenged
Can’t afford housing
Polite
The financially challenged need help.
Underhoused
Living in inadequate housing
Formal
Some live underhoused in poor conditions.
Precariously housed
Unstable housing situation
Social sciences term
Many youth are precariously housed.
Housing crisis
General lack of affordable housing
Neutral and formal
The housing crisis affects many cities.
Lack of stable housing
Homelessness euphemism
Clear and polite
The lack of stable housing is a growing problem.
Experiencing homelessness
Homeless
Empathetic phrasing
Those experiencing homelessness need aid.
📚 SCHOOL & EXAMS
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Academic challenge
Difficulty in studies
Polite, non-judgmental
She’s facing some academic challenges.
Needs improvement
Poor performance
Gentle teacher’s phrase
His writing needs improvement.
Didn’t meet requirements
Failed exam or task
Polite phrase
He didn’t meet the requirements this time.
Passed with flying colors
Passed excellently
Positive praise
She passed with flying colors!
Learning curve
Time to adjust or improve
Neutral, encouraging
There’s a steep learning curve at first.
Slow learner
Learns at a slower pace
Use carefully, can offend
He’s a slow learner but works hard.
Test anxiety
Nervousness before exam
Common phrase
She suffers from test anxiety.
Underperforming
Doing worse than expected
Gentle criticism
He’s underperforming this semester.
Examination stress
Pressure from exams
Common phrase
Examination stress affects many students.
Gap in knowledge
Missing information
Neutral and clear
There’s a gap in her knowledge.
Mastery level
Skill proficiency
Positive teaching term
He’s reaching mastery level in math.
Extra support
Additional help
Positive phrase
She receives extra support in class.
Learning disability
Specific learning difficulty
Clinical term
He has a diagnosed learning disability.
Not up to standard
Not good enough
Polite phrase
The essay was not up to standard.
Making progress
Improving
Positive and encouraging
She’s making good progress.
Re-take
Taking an exam again
Neutral phrase
He will re-take the test next week.
Alternative assessment
Different form of testing
Formal education term
Some students get alternative assessments.
On track
Doing well
Positive phrase
He’s on track to graduate.
Academic probation
Warning for poor grades
Formal, serious
She was placed on academic probation.
Working below potential
Not performing as well as possible
Gentle criticism
He’s working below his potential.
🌍 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISM
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip
Sample Sentence
Eco-conscious
Environmentally aware
Positive term
She’s very eco-conscious in her choices.
Green lifestyle
Environmentally friendly living
Trendy phrase
He leads a green lifestyle.
Carbon footprint
Environmental impact of activities
Common term
We should reduce our carbon footprint.
Sustainable practices
Environmentally friendly methods
Positive phrase
They promote sustainable practices.
Renewable energy
Energy from natural sources
Formal, positive
Solar panels produce renewable energy.
Environmentally responsible
Caring for the environment
Polite, positive
The company is environmentally responsible.
Eco-warrior
Environmental activist
Slightly playful
She’s an eco-warrior fighting pollution.
Planet-friendly
Good for the environment
Popular phrase
Choose planet-friendly products.
Greenwashing
False eco-friendly claims
Critical term
Beware of companies greenwashing.
Climate justice
Fair treatment in climate policy
Formal activist term
They fight for climate justice.
Eco-friendly alternative
More sustainable option
Positive phrase
This bag is an eco-friendly alternative.
Going green
Adopting eco-friendly habits
Popular phrase
More people are going green.
Zero waste
Producing no trash
Trendy concept
They follow a zero waste lifestyle.
Conservation effort
Protecting nature
Positive and formal
The conservation effort saved the forest.
Nature deficit disorder
Lack of contact with nature
Popularized term
Kids suffer from nature deficit disorder.
Environmental footprint
Overall environmental impact
Broader than carbon footprint
The project’s environmental footprint is large.
Climate action
Steps against climate change
Positive activist term
We need urgent climate action.
Ecological balance
Nature’s equilibrium
Formal phrase
Pollution disrupts ecological balance.
Recycling program
Organized waste reuse
Neutral, positive
The school started a recycling program.
Green innovation
New eco-friendly technology
Positive phrase
Green innovation drives change.
Technology & Digital Life
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Digital footprint
Data left online
Use to discuss privacy politely
Be careful about your digital footprint.
Social media detox
Taking a break from social media
Casual, popular phrase
She’s doing a social media detox this weekend.
Screen time
Time spent using screens
Neutral, common
Too much screen time can harm your eyes.
Cloud storage
Online data storage
Technical, neutral
I saved the files in cloud storage.
Cyberbullying
Online harassment
Serious, formal
Schools are trying to prevent cyberbullying.
Online persona
How one presents self online
Neutral, can be positive or negative
His online persona is very different from real life.
Digital native
Someone born into digital age
Positive, describes generation
Most teenagers are digital natives.
Data breach
Unauthorized data access
Serious, formal
The company suffered a data breach last month.
Phishing
Fraudulent emails or messages
Technical, serious
Watch out for phishing scams.
Viral content
Popular online media
Informal, positive
That video became viral overnight.
User-friendly
Easy to use software or app
Positive
This app is very user-friendly.
Online troll
Someone who provokes online
Negative, informal
Ignore the online trolls.
Spam
Unwanted emails or messages
Neutral, technical
My inbox is full of spam.
Hashtag activism
Social causes promoted online
Modern term, positive or ironic
Hashtag activism raises awareness quickly.
Digital divide
Gap between those with/without tech
Formal, social issue
The digital divide affects education quality.
Streaming
Watching/listening online
Neutral, common
I prefer streaming music to buying CDs.
Meme culture
Popular humor online
Informal, fun
Meme culture shapes online communication.
Password protection
Keeping data safe
Neutral
Always use strong password protection.
Online privacy
Keeping personal info secure
Formal, important
Online privacy is a growing concern.
Tech-savvy
Skilled with technology
Positive
She’s very tech-savvy for her age.
Health & Fitness
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Physical activity
Exercise
Formal, polite
Regular physical activity is important.
Weight management
Controlling body weight
Polite, positive
He focuses on weight management through diet.
Nutritional balance
Healthy diet
Positive, formal
A nutritional balance improves energy.
Mental wellness
Good mental health
Positive, broad
Mental wellness is as important as physical health.
Stress management
Controlling stress
Neutral, common
Stress management techniques help with anxiety.
Healthy lifestyle
Overall good health habits
Positive
She leads a healthy lifestyle.
Moderate drinking
Drinking alcohol in limits
Polite, common
Moderate drinking is key to good health.
Sleep hygiene
Good sleep habits
Formal, technical
Sleep hygiene affects concentration.
Preventive care
Health care to prevent illness
Formal, positive
Preventive care reduces healthcare costs.
Chronic condition
Long-term illness
Clinical, polite
He manages a chronic condition well.
Body positivity
Acceptance of all body types
Positive, social movement
Body positivity encourages self-love.
Fitness routine
Regular exercise plan
Neutral, common
She follows a strict fitness routine.
Healthy weight
Ideal or recommended weight
Polite
Doctors recommend maintaining a healthy weight.
Balanced diet
Eating a variety of foods
Positive
A balanced diet supports overall health.
Staying hydrated
Drinking enough water
Neutral
It’s important to stay hydrated during workouts.
Mental resilience
Ability to cope with stress
Positive
Building mental resilience helps during exams.
Smoking cessation
Quitting smoking
Polite, clinical
Smoking cessation improves lung health.
Substance use
Using drugs or alcohol
Polite, neutral
Substance use is monitored in rehabilitation.
Overweight
Heavier than recommended
Polite, but can offend
He’s slightly overweight but working on it.
Underweight
Lighter than recommended
Polite, clinical
Being underweight can cause health problems.
Work & Careers
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Career transition
Changing jobs or profession
Positive, neutral
She is in a career transition phase.
Job seeker
Someone looking for work
Neutral, common
Job seekers face tough competition.
Downsizing
Reducing staff
Polite, corporate
The company is downsizing due to budget cuts.
Performance review
Job evaluation
Formal, neutral
His performance review went well.
Professional growth
Career development
Positive
Professional growth is important for success.
Work-life balance
Managing work and personal life
Popular, positive
Many seek better work-life balance.
Taking a break
Temporary leave from work
Polite
She is taking a break to travel.
Job rotation
Changing roles within company
Formal, positive
Job rotation helps employees gain new skills.
Entry-level position
Beginner job
Neutral
He started in an entry-level position.
Freelance
Self-employed contract work
Neutral
She works as a freelance designer.
Underemployed
Working below skill level
Formal, polite
Many graduates feel underemployed.
Career advancement
Promotion or progress
Positive
He’s seeking career advancement.
Layoff
Job loss due to company needs
Polite, formal
Layoffs affected many employees last year.
On the job training
Learning while working
Neutral
New hires get on the job training.
Job market
Employment opportunities
Neutral
The job market is competitive right now.
Remote work
Working from home or elsewhere
Popular, neutral
Remote work is more common these days.
Voluntary resignation
Leaving job by choice
Polite
She made a voluntary resignation to start her own business.
Professional development
Skill improvement
Positive
They offer professional development courses.
Contractual worker
Temporary or contract employee
Neutral
Many workers are contractual.
Sabbatical
Extended leave from work
Formal, positive
He took a sabbatical to write a book.
Aging & Death
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Senior citizen
Older person
Polite, respectful
The park offers discounts for senior citizens.
Golden years
Retirement age
Positive, nostalgic
She’s enjoying her golden years.
Passed away
Died
Polite, common
His grandfather passed away peacefully.
Resting in peace
Euphemism for death
Polite, respectful
May she rest in peace.
Late
Deceased
Formal, polite
The late professor was well respected.
End of life
Final phase of life
Formal, gentle
Hospice care supports patients at the end of life.
Departed
Left life
Polite, formal
The departed will be remembered fondly.
Senior living
Retirement home or care facility
Neutral, polite
She moved to senior living last year.
Infirmity
Physical weakness due to age
Polite, formal
He suffers from infirmity but stays active.
Life expectancy
Average age people live
Neutral, formal
Life expectancy has increased worldwide.
Advanced age
Very old
Polite, formal
She’s of advanced age but very active.
Passed on
Euphemism for died
Gentle, common
He passed on last winter.
Bereavement
Grief after death
Formal, clinical
Bereavement leave helps employees cope.
Rest in eternal peace
Death, with spiritual tone
Formal, respectful
May he rest in eternal peace.
Late-stage illness
Terminal illness
Polite, clinical
She is battling a late-stage illness.
Senior care
Care for elderly people
Polite, formal
The facility specializes in senior care.
Age gracefully
Accept aging with dignity
Positive, encouraging
She aims to age gracefully.
Passing
Death
Polite, gentle
The family announced her passing yesterday.
Final farewell
Goodbye before death
Poetic, respectful
They held a final farewell at the funeral.
Life transition
Death or major life change
Polite, metaphorical
Death is the final life transition.
Politics
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Political landscape
Overall political situation
Formal, neutral
The political landscape is changing rapidly.
Bipartisan effort
Cooperation between two parties
Positive, formal
They worked on a bipartisan effort to pass the law.
Policy shift
Change in government policy
Neutral, formal
There has been a policy shift regarding education.
Legislative agenda
Planned government actions
Formal, neutral
The legislative agenda includes climate reforms.
Political climate
Mood or attitude in politics
Neutral, common
The political climate is tense before elections.
Grassroots movement
Community-based political action
Positive, informal
The campaign started as a grassroots movement.
Political capital
Influence or power in politics
Formal, metaphorical
He used his political capital to push reforms.
Power struggle
Conflict for control or influence
Neutral, somewhat negative
The party is experiencing a power struggle.
Electoral process
Voting and elections
Formal, neutral
The electoral process must be transparent.
Political agenda
Goals of a political group
Neutral, common
The new policy fits the party’s political agenda.
Lobbying
Influencing politicians
Formal, sometimes negative
Lobbying can affect legislation.
Cabinet reshuffle
Changes in government ministers
Formal, neutral
The prime minister announced a cabinet reshuffle.
Voter turnout
Number of people voting
Neutral, common
Voter turnout was higher than expected.
Policy maker
Person who creates laws/policies
Neutral, formal
Policy makers debated the new proposal.
Coalition government
Alliance of political parties
Formal, neutral
The country has a coalition government.
Political unrest
Disturbances or protests
Neutral, serious
Political unrest affected the capital.
Diplomatic relations
Interactions between countries
Formal, neutral
Diplomatic relations improved after talks.
Public office
Political job
Formal, neutral
He was elected to public office last year.
Civil service
Government employees
Formal, neutral
The civil service provides public services.
Reform agenda
Plan for political or social change
Positive, formal
The reform agenda focuses on education and health.
Religion & Belief
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Faith community
Group sharing religious beliefs
Polite, positive
The faith community organizes charity events.
Spiritual journey
Personal religious growth
Positive, poetic
She described her spiritual journey in her book.
Divine intervention
Help from a higher power
Formal, respectful
They believed it was divine intervention.
Religious observance
Practicing religion
Formal, neutral
Religious observance is important to many people.
Sacred text
Holy scripture
Formal, respectful
The Bible is a sacred text for Christians.
Place of worship
Church, mosque, temple, etc.
Polite, neutral
They gathered at the place of worship for service.
Clergy
Religious leaders
Formal, respectful
The clergy led the ceremony.
Moral compass
Inner sense of right and wrong
Metaphorical, positive
Her moral compass guides her decisions.
Religious tolerance
Acceptance of other beliefs
Positive, formal
Religious tolerance is key to peaceful societies.
Rituals
Religious ceremonies
Neutral, formal
Rituals vary between different religions.
Prayerful reflection
Thoughtful meditation or prayer
Polite, formal
They spent time in prayerful reflection.
Holy day
Religious holiday
Neutral, respectful
Christmas is a major holy day for Christians.
Faith-based
Related to religion
Formal, neutral
Faith-based organizations help the poor.
Clerical duties
Religious work
Formal, respectful
He is responsible for clerical duties at the church.
Pilgrimage
Religious journey
Formal, respectful
Many make a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Sect
Religious subgroup
Neutral, sometimes negative
The sect has unique beliefs.
Evangelism
Spreading religious beliefs
Formal, sometimes controversial
Evangelism is common in some Christian groups.
Religious freedom
Right to practice religion freely
Positive, formal
Religious freedom is protected by law.
Sacred tradition
Important religious customs
Formal, respectful
Sacred traditions are passed down generations.
Divine grace
Blessings from God
Formal, poetic
They prayed for divine grace during hardship.
Food & Body Image
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Comfort food
Food eaten for emotional well-being
Informal, positive
Chocolate is her favorite comfort food.
Clean eating
Healthy, unprocessed diet
Positive, trendy
Clean eating is popular among athletes.
Portion control
Managing food amounts
Neutral, common
Portion control helps with weight management.
Body positivity
Acceptance of all body types
Positive, social movement
Body positivity promotes self-love.
Mindful eating
Paying attention to food choices
Positive, health-focused
Mindful eating can prevent overeating.
Nutrient-dense
Food high in nutrients
Formal, health-related
Vegetables are nutrient-dense foods.
Indulgence
Treating oneself
Polite, positive
An occasional indulgence is fine.
Slimming
Losing weight
Polite, can be sensitive
She’s on a slimming program.
Self-care
Taking care of one’s health
Positive, broad
Exercise is part of her self-care routine.
Body image
How one sees their body
Neutral, psychological
Body image issues affect many teens.
Healthy appetite
Normal desire to eat
Positive, neutral
He has a healthy appetite after exercise.
Dietary restriction
Limiting certain foods
Polite, neutral
She follows dietary restrictions for allergies.
Weight-neutral
Focusing on health not weight
Positive, modern
Weight-neutral approaches focus on wellbeing.
Cheat meal
A planned exception to a diet
Informal, popular
He enjoys a cheat meal on weekends.
Fitness fuel
Food eaten to support exercise
Informal, positive
Protein bars are good fitness fuel.
Eating habits
Usual food intake patterns
Neutral
Changing eating habits can improve health.
Nutritional value
Health benefits of food
Formal
The nutritional value of fruits is high.
Body confidence
Feeling good about one’s body
Positive
Body confidence is key to mental health.
Balanced meal
Meal with all nutrients
Positive
A balanced meal includes carbs, protein, and fats.
Diet culture
Societal focus on dieting
Negative, critical
Diet culture can harm self-esteem.
History & Politics
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Political upheaval
Major political change or unrest
Formal, serious
The country experienced political upheaval in 1917.
Colonial legacy
Effects of colonization
Formal, critical
The colonial legacy still impacts society today.
Social reform
Changes to improve society
Positive, formal
Social reform improved workers’ rights.
Diplomatic ties
Relations between countries
Formal, neutral
Diplomatic ties strengthened after the treaty.
National identity
Shared culture and values
Formal, cultural
National identity shapes a country’s laws.
Historical narrative
Story told about the past
Neutral, academic
The historical narrative can differ by perspective.
Power dynamics
How power is distributed
Formal, analytical
Power dynamics changed after the revolution.
Treaty negotiation
Discussion to reach agreement
Formal
Treaty negotiations lasted months.
Sovereignty
Country’s independence
Formal, legal
The nation fought for its sovereignty.
Cultural heritage
Traditions and artifacts
Positive, respectful
Cultural heritage is preserved in museums.
Revolutionary movement
Group seeking radical change
Formal, serious
The revolutionary movement altered the government.
Imperial rule
Control by an empire
Formal, historical
Imperial rule ended in the early 20th century.
Civil rights
Rights for all citizens
Positive, formal
The civil rights movement changed laws.
Political prisoners
People jailed for beliefs
Serious, formal
Political prisoners were released after protests.
Nationalism
Pride in one’s nation
Neutral, sometimes negative
Nationalism can unite or divide people.
Historical context
Background for events
Formal
Understanding historical context is important.
Power vacuum
Absence of strong leadership
Formal, metaphorical
The coup created a power vacuum.
Authoritarian regime
Government with strict control
Negative, formal
The country lived under an authoritarian regime.
Post-war recovery
Rebuilding after conflict
Neutral, positive
Post-war recovery took decades.
Societal transformation
Major social change
Formal, positive
The industrial revolution was a societal transformation.
Fashion & Style
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Casual chic
Stylish but informal clothing
Positive, fashionable
She prefers casual chic for everyday wear.
Timeless elegance
Classic, never-out-of-fashion style
Positive, formal
Her outfit reflected timeless elegance.
Statement piece
Bold, eye-catching accessory
Informal, positive
That necklace is definitely a statement piece.
Trendsetting
Leading new fashion trends
Positive, formal
The designer is known for trendsetting styles.
Minimalist style
Simple, clean clothing
Positive, modern
He prefers a minimalist style to avoid clutter.
Haute couture
High fashion, custom-made clothes
Formal, prestigious
She attended the haute couture fashion show.
Ready-to-wear
Clothes sold finished and ready
Neutral, formal
The store offers a wide range of ready-to-wear.
Vintage
Old-fashioned but fashionable
Positive, nostalgic
She collects vintage dresses from the 1950s.
Power dressing
Wearing clothes to convey authority
Formal, business
Power dressing is common in corporate environments.
Fabrication
Type of fabric used
Formal, technical
The jacket’s fabrication ensures durability.
Accessories
Additional items like jewelry
Neutral, common
Accessories can enhance any outfit.
Wardrobe staple
Essential clothing item
Informal, common
A white shirt is a wardrobe staple.
Fashion-forward
Ahead of current trends
Positive, informal
She’s very fashion-forward.
Layering
Wearing multiple clothing layers
Neutral, descriptive
Layering helps adjust to changing weather.
Soft hues
Gentle, muted colors
Positive, descriptive
Soft hues are perfect for spring.
Tailored fit
Clothes made to fit perfectly
Formal, positive
A tailored fit always looks sharp.
Statement color
Bold, noticeable color
Informal, positive
Red is a popular statement color.
Sustainable fashion
Eco-friendly clothing
Positive, modern
Sustainable fashion is growing in popularity.
Fashion icon
Someone famous for style
Positive, informal
She is a fashion icon among her peers.
Wardrobe refresh
Updating one’s clothing
Informal, common
It’s time for a wardrobe refresh this season.
Sports & Competition
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Friendly match
Non-competitive game
Positive, informal
They played a friendly match last weekend.
Training session
Practice for athletes
Neutral, common
The team has daily training sessions.
Team spirit
Cooperation among players
Positive, motivational
Team spirit helped them win the championship.
Home advantage
Benefit of playing at home
Neutral, sports-specific
Home advantage can affect the outcome.
Fair play
Sportsmanship and honesty
Positive, formal
Fair play is essential in all sports.
Physical conditioning
Fitness training
Formal, neutral
Physical conditioning improves endurance.
Injury time
Added time due to stoppage
Neutral, specific
The referee added three minutes of injury time.
Underdog
Less favored competitor
Informal, common
The underdog surprised everyone with the win.
Personal best
Athlete’s best performance
Positive, motivational
She set a new personal best in the race.
Knockout stage
Elimination rounds
Neutral, sports-specific
They advanced to the knockout stage.
Sportsmanship
Fair and respectful behavior
Positive, formal
Good sportsmanship is admired by fans.
Offside
Rule violation in some sports
Neutral, technical
He was penalized for being offside.
Competitive edge
Advantage over opponents
Positive, motivational
Training gave them a competitive edge.
Coaching staff
Team’s trainers and advisors
Neutral, formal
The coaching staff planned the strategy.
Playmaker
Key player who creates scoring chances
Positive, informal
He is the team’s top playmaker.
Fan base
Group of supporters
Neutral, informal
The team has a large fan base.
Athleticism
Physical ability
Positive, formal
Her athleticism is impressive.
Match officials
Referees and umpires
Formal, neutral
Match officials enforce the rules.
Sports event
Competition or tournament
Neutral, common
The sports event attracted thousands of spectators.
Victory lap
Celebratory lap after winning
Informal, positive
The winner took a victory lap around the field.
Social Etiquette & Manners
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Please and thank you
Basic polite phrases
Universal, positive
Always remember to say please and thank you.
Social graces
Polite behavior
Formal, positive
She mastered the social graces quickly.
Table manners
Proper behavior at the dining table
Neutral, common
Good table manners are important at dinners.
Respect personal space
Keeping appropriate distance
Polite, neutral
Respect personal space in crowded places.
Appropriate dress
Suitable clothing for occasions
Formal, neutral
Wear appropriate dress for the event.
Small talk
Light, casual conversation
Informal, neutral
Small talk helps break the ice.
Punctuality
Being on time
Positive, formal
Punctuality shows respect for others’ time.
Offering a compliment
Giving praise
Positive, polite
Offering a compliment can brighten someone’s day.
Invitations
Asking someone to an event
Formal, polite
She sent out invitations for the party.
Gift giving
Presenting gifts
Positive, cultural
Gift giving is common during holidays.
Polite refusal
Saying no nicely
Positive, diplomatic
She gave a polite refusal to the invitation.
Greeting etiquette
Proper ways to say hello
Neutral, cultural
Greeting etiquette varies between countries.
Listening skills
Paying attention during conversation
Positive, important
Good listening skills improve communication.
Thank-you note
Written appreciation
Formal, polite
He wrote a thank-you note after the interview.
Hosting duties
Responsibilities of a host
Formal, neutral
Hosting duties include preparing food and seating.
Conversation starters
Phrases to begin talking
Informal, helpful
Asking about the weather is a common conversation starter.
Addressing others
How to call someone politely
Formal, respectful
Use titles when addressing elders.
Table setting
Arranging dishes and utensils
Formal, neutral
A proper table setting enhances the dining experience.
RSVP
Confirming attendance
Formal, common
Please RSVP by next Friday.
Respectful disagreement
Disagreeing without offense
Positive, diplomatic
Respectful disagreement is key in debates.
Technology & Innovation
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Cutting-edge
Latest and most advanced
Positive, formal
The company uses cutting-edge technology.
User-friendly
Easy to use
Positive, common
The new app is very user-friendly.
Cloud computing
Online data storage and processing
Formal, technical
Cloud computing revolutionized data management.
Digital footprint
Trace of online activity
Neutral, common
Be careful about your digital footprint.
Tech-savvy
Skilled with technology
Positive, informal
She is very tech-savvy for her age.
Virtual meeting
Online video conference
Neutral, common
They had a virtual meeting instead of in person.
Bandwidth
Data transmission capacity
Technical, neutral
The video requires a high bandwidth connection.
Innovation hub
Place promoting new ideas
Positive, formal
The city is becoming an innovation hub.
Digital detox
Taking a break from technology
Positive, informal
I’m planning a digital detox this weekend.
Automation
Using machines to do tasks
Neutral, formal
Automation increased productivity.
Smart device
Connected electronic gadget
Neutral, common
Smart devices can control your home’s lights.
Data privacy
Protection of personal information
Formal, important
Data privacy is a growing concern.
Cybersecurity
Protection against online threats
Formal, technical
Cybersecurity measures keep systems safe.
Algorithm
Computer instructions for tasks
Formal, technical
Algorithms determine search results.
Augmented reality
Enhanced view of the real world
Formal, technical
Augmented reality is used in gaming and education.
Digital transformation
Shift to digital business models
Formal, business
Digital transformation is essential for growth.
Tech ecosystem
Network of technology companies
Formal, business
The region’s tech ecosystem is booming.
Wireless network
Internet connection without cables
Neutral, common
The wireless network is down today.
User interface
How users interact with technology
Formal, technical
A good user interface improves usability.
Open source
Software with publicly accessible code
Positive, technical
Open source software promotes collaboration.
Food & Body Image
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Comfort food
Food eaten to feel better emotionally
Positive, informal
She turned to comfort food after a stressful day.
Healthy choice
Nutritious food option
Positive, formal
Choosing salads is a healthy choice.
Portion control
Managing food intake size
Neutral, common
Portion control helps maintain a balanced diet.
Mindful eating
Paying attention to eating habits
Positive, modern
Mindful eating can improve digestion.
Body positivity
Accepting all body types
Positive, social
Body positivity encourages self-love.
Full-figured
Politely describing a larger body
Positive, polite
She embraces her full-figured silhouette.
Curvy
Describes attractive body curves
Positive, informal
The model has a curvy figure.
Slimming
Helping to lose weight
Positive, marketing
This diet is promoted as slimming.
Indulgence
Treating oneself with rich food
Positive, casual
Chocolate is a rare indulgence for her.
Calorie-conscious
Watching calorie intake
Neutral, health-focused
Many people are calorie-conscious these days.
Detox diet
Short-term diet to cleanse body
Popular, sometimes dubious
She tried a detox diet last month.
Waistline-friendly
Foods that help keep waist small
Positive, marketing
These snacks are waistline-friendly.
Skin glow
Healthy-looking skin
Positive, beauty
Drinking water promotes a natural skin glow.
Eating habits
Patterns of eating
Neutral, common
Good eating habits are essential for health.
Balanced diet
Eating a variety of nutrients
Positive, health
A balanced diet includes fruits and vegetables.
Nutrient-rich
Food high in vitamins and minerals
Formal, health
Spinach is nutrient-rich and good for the body.
Flabby
Politely describing loose skin/fat
Mildly negative, informal
He is working to tone his flabby arms.
Weight management
Controlling body weight
Formal, health
Weight management is key to preventing illness.
Appetite suppressant
Something reducing hunger
Formal, health
Certain foods act as natural appetite suppressants.
Overindulgence
Eating too much
Negative, formal
Overindulgence during holidays is common.
History & Politics
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Political climate
General political atmosphere
Formal, neutral
The political climate affects policy decisions.
Diplomatic relations
Official interactions between countries
Formal, international
Diplomatic relations have improved recently.
Social reform
Changes aimed at improving society
Positive, formal
The government promoted social reform in education.
Regime change
Change of government
Neutral, formal
The country experienced a regime change last year.
National identity
Shared sense of a nation’s character
Formal, cultural
National identity is a key part of history lessons.
Economic sanctions
Penalties imposed on countries
Formal, political
Economic sanctions were used to pressure the regime.
Political upheaval
Period of political instability
Neutral, formal
The region faced political upheaval in the 1990s.
War-torn
Affected by war
Descriptive, serious
They come from a war-torn country.
Freedom fighter
Someone fighting for freedom
Positive, political
He was hailed as a freedom fighter.
Authoritarian regime
Government with strict control
Negative, formal
The country lived under an authoritarian regime.
Propaganda
Biased information spread
Negative, political
The media was accused of spreading propaganda.
Cold War
Period of political tension
Historical term
The Cold War shaped international relations.
Civil rights movement
Effort to secure equal rights
Positive, historical
The civil rights movement changed society.
Revolution
Sudden, radical change in government
Neutral, historical
The revolution brought significant reforms.
Peace talks
Negotiations to end conflict
Positive, diplomatic
Peace talks resumed after years of tension.
Vote of confidence
Formal approval or disapproval
Formal, political
The government survived a vote of confidence.
Political spectrum
Range of political opinions
Formal, academic
People’s views range across the political spectrum.
Coalition government
Government formed by multiple parties
Formal, political
A coalition government was formed after elections.
Amnesty
Official pardon
Positive, legal
The prisoners were granted amnesty.
Human rights
Basic rights of all people
Positive, universal
Human rights are fundamental to democracy.
Work & Careers
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Career advancement
Progressing in a job
Positive, formal
She seeks career advancement through training.
Professional development
Improving job skills
Formal, common
Professional development is encouraged at work.
Job responsibilities
Tasks required in a role
Neutral, formal
His job responsibilities include managing staff.
Work-life balance
Managing work and personal life
Positive, modern
Maintaining work-life balance reduces stress.
Temporary position
Short-term job
Neutral, common
She took a temporary position during summer.
Networking
Building professional contacts
Positive, informal
Networking is key to career growth.
Corporate culture
Values and behaviors in a company
Neutral, formal
Corporate culture affects employee satisfaction.
Performance review
Evaluation of work
Formal, common
He received positive feedback in his performance review.
Job market
Availability of jobs
Neutral, common
The job market is competitive this year.
Salary package
Total pay and benefits
Formal, common
The salary package includes bonuses and insurance.
Career path
Progression of jobs in life
Neutral, formal
She is considering a new career path.
Promotion
Moving to a higher job position
Positive, common
He earned a promotion after two years.
Job security
Stability of employment
Positive, common
Job security is important to employees.
Freelance work
Independent contracting
Neutral, common
She prefers freelance work for flexibility.
Skill set
Range of skills
Neutral, common
Developing your skill set improves employability.
Internship
Temporary training position
Formal, common
He completed an internship last summer.
Resignation
Voluntary quitting of a job
Formal, neutral
She submitted her resignation last month.
Downsizing
Reducing number of employees
Negative, formal
The company announced downsizing to cut costs.
Work ethic
Attitude toward work
Positive, informal
A strong work ethic is valued in all professions.
Sabbatical
Extended break from work
Formal, positive
She took a sabbatical to travel abroad.
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Career advancement
Progressing in a job
Positive, formal
She seeks career advancement through training.
Professional development
Improving job skills
Formal, common
Professional development is encouraged at work.
Job responsibilities
Tasks required in a role
Neutral, formal
His job responsibilities include managing staff.
Work-life balance
Managing work and personal life
Positive, modern
Maintaining work-life balance reduces stress.
Temporary position
Short-term job
Neutral, common
She took a temporary position during summer.
Networking
Building professional contacts
Positive, informal
Networking is key to career growth.
Corporate culture
Values and behaviors in a company
Neutral, formal
Corporate culture affects employee satisfaction.
Performance review
Evaluation of work
Formal, common
He received positive feedback in his performance review.
Job market
Availability of jobs
Neutral, common
The job market is competitive this year.
Salary package
Total pay and benefits
Formal, common
The salary package includes bonuses and insurance.
Career path
Progression of jobs in life
Neutral, formal
She is considering a new career path.
Promotion
Moving to a higher job position
Positive, common
He earned a promotion after two years.
Job security
Stability of employment
Positive, common
Job security is important to employees.
Freelance work
Independent contracting
Neutral, common
She prefers freelance work for flexibility.
Skill set
Range of skills
Neutral, common
Developing your skill set improves employability.
Internship
Temporary training position
Formal, common
He completed an internship last summer.
Resignation
Voluntary quitting of a job
Formal, neutral
She submitted her resignation last month.
Downsizing
Reducing number of employees
Negative, formal
The company announced downsizing to cut costs.
Work ethic
Attitude toward work
Positive, informal
A strong work ethic is valued in all professions.
Sabbatical
Extended break from work
Formal, positive
She took a sabbatical to travel abroad.
Aging & Death
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Senior citizen
Older adult
Polite, respectful
Senior citizens often get discounts on transport.
Golden years
Later years of life
Positive, nostalgic
He enjoys his golden years with family.
Passed away
Died
Polite, gentle
Her grandfather passed away peacefully.
Resting in peace
Euphemism for death
Polite, common
May she rest in peace.
Departed
Someone who has died
Polite, formal
We remember the departed with respect.
Senior moments
Forgetfulness in old age
Informal, humorous
I’m having senior moments lately!
In one’s prime
At peak age or health
Positive, formal
She was in her prime during the 1980s.
Advanced in years
Old
Polite, formal
He is advanced in years but still active.
End of life
Final phase of life
Polite, formal
Hospice care supports patients at the end of life.
Late
Deceased person
Polite, formal
The late professor was well respected.
Passing
Death
Polite, informal
The news of his passing saddened many.
Aging gracefully
Growing old with dignity
Positive, respectful
She is aging gracefully and stays active.
Life expectancy
Average length of life
Neutral, formal
Life expectancy has increased globally.
Life after death
Concept of existence beyond death
Formal, spiritual
Many religions teach about life after death.
Obituary
Death announcement
Formal, neutral
The obituary was published in the local newspaper.
Cremation
Burning the body after death
Neutral, formal
The family chose cremation as the funeral option.
Grief counseling
Support after a death
Formal, supportive
Grief counseling helps people cope with loss.
Legacy
What someone leaves behind
Positive, formal
His legacy lives on through his work.
Nursing home
Residential care for elderly
Neutral, sometimes negative
She moved to a nursing home last year.
Hospice care
Palliative care for terminally ill
Formal, supportive
Hospice care focuses on comfort and dignity.
Relationships & Dating
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Seeing someone
Dating someone casually
Informal, polite
Are you seeing anyone these days?
Significant other
Partner or spouse
Neutral, polite
She introduced her significant other at the party.
Getting to know each other
Early phase of a relationship
Neutral, casual
They’re just getting to know each other.
Going steady
Exclusive dating
Slightly old-fashioned
They started going steady last year.
Break up
End a relationship
Neutral, common
They decided to break up amicably.
On the rocks
Relationship in trouble
Informal, metaphorical
Their marriage has been on the rocks lately.
Lovebirds
Couple showing affection
Informal, affectionate
Look at those lovebirds at the café!
Seeing other people
Dating multiple people
Casual, honest
She’s seeing other people right now.
Blind date
Date without prior meeting
Neutral, common
He went on a blind date last weekend.
Chemistry
Mutual attraction
Positive, informal
They had great chemistry from the start.
Break the ice
Start conversation
Informal, social
He told a joke to break the ice on the date.
Going Dutch
Each pays their own share
Neutral, common
They decided to go Dutch on their first date.
Soulmate
Perfect romantic partner
Positive, romantic
Many believe they will find their soulmate one day.
Play hard to get
Pretending disinterest
Informal, playful
She played hard to get to test his interest.
Love at first sight
Immediate attraction
Positive, romantic
They experienced love at first sight.
Puppy love
Early, innocent love
Informal, slightly dismissive
Their relationship was just puppy love.
On again, off again
Relationship with many breaks
Informal, descriptive
They’ve had an on-again, off-again relationship.
Moving in together
Starting to live as a couple
Neutral, modern
They’re moving in together next month.
Taking things slow
Gradually progressing relationship
Positive, cautious
They’re taking things slow before committing.
Partner in crime
Playful term for a close companion
Informal, affectionate
She’s my partner in crime for all adventures.
Family & Parenting
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Bundle of joy
New baby
Positive, affectionate
They welcomed a new bundle of joy last week.
Little one
Child
Polite, affectionate
The little one is learning to walk.
Parenting journey
Experience of raising children
Positive, broad
Every parent’s journey is unique.
Quality time
Meaningful family time
Positive, common
They spend quality time together on weekends.
Hands-on parent
Actively involved in parenting
Positive, informal
She’s a very hands-on parent.
Empty nest
When children leave home
Neutral, emotional
They are adjusting to the empty nest phase.
Family matters
Important family issues
Neutral, formal
Family matters should always come first.
Work-family balance
Managing work and family life
Positive, common
She struggles with work-family balance.
Child’s development
Growth and learning of a child
Formal, neutral
The child’s development is progressing well.
Baby bump
Pregnant belly
Informal, affectionate
She showed off her baby bump at the party.
Parental leave
Time off work to care for baby
Formal, common
He took parental leave after the birth.
Sibling rivalry
Conflict between brothers/sisters
Neutral, common
Sibling rivalry is normal among children.
Nurturing environment
Supportive home
Positive, formal
A nurturing environment helps children thrive.
Generation gap
Differences between age groups
Neutral, common
The generation gap can cause misunderstandings.
Family ties
Relationships between family members
Neutral, formal
Strong family ties create support networks.
Step-parent
Partner of a child’s parent
Neutral, common
She is a loving step-parent to her husband’s kids.
Foster care
Temporary care for children
Formal, social
Many children benefit from foster care.
Baby steps
Small progress
Informal, positive
He’s taking baby steps in learning to read.
Household chores
Tasks at home
Neutral, common
Children should help with household chores.
Raising kids
Bringing up children
Informal, common
Raising kids is challenging but rewarding.
Economics & Money
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Financially comfortable
Having enough money
Positive, formal
They are financially comfortable after years of saving.
Cost-effective
Economical, saving money
Positive, business
Solar panels are a cost-effective energy solution.
Budget-friendly
Affordable
Positive, informal
We stayed at a budget-friendly hotel.
Economic downturn
Period of economic decline
Neutral, formal
The country faced an economic downturn last year.
Fiscal responsibility
Managing money wisely
Positive, formal
Fiscal responsibility is key for governments.
Disposable income
Money left after expenses
Neutral, economic
Disposable income allows for leisure activities.
Rainy day fund
Savings for emergencies
Informal, positive
It’s important to have a rainy day fund.
Debt consolidation
Combining debts to manage better
Formal, financial
Debt consolidation helped him reduce payments.
Economic stimulus
Government spending to boost economy
Formal, political
The economic stimulus package was introduced in 2023.
Asset management
Handling of investments
Formal, business
Good asset management increases wealth.
Living paycheck to paycheck
Barely managing expenses
Negative, descriptive
Many people live paycheck to paycheck.
Credit crunch
Difficulty borrowing money
Negative, financial
The credit crunch affected small businesses.
Market correction
Adjustment of stock prices
Neutral, financial
The market correction was expected after rapid growth.
Wealth management
Managing personal finances
Formal, financial
Wealth management services are available for clients.
Economic disparity
Gap between rich and poor
Neutral, social
Economic disparity is a major issue globally.
Income bracket
Range of income levels
Neutral, demographic
They belong to the middle-income bracket.
Financial literacy
Knowledge of money management
Positive, educational
Financial literacy should be taught in schools.
Retirement fund
Savings for after work life
Neutral, formal
She contributes monthly to her retirement fund.
Investment portfolio
Collection of investments
Formal, financial
Diversify your investment portfolio for safety.
Economic recovery
Improvement after downturn
Positive, formal
Signs of economic recovery are visible.
Law & Justice
Euphemism
Meaning
Tip on Usage
Sample Sentence
Legal proceedings
Court cases
Formal, neutral
The legal proceedings lasted several months.
Law enforcement
Police and authorities
Formal, neutral
Law enforcement is investigating the case.
Under investigation
Being examined by authorities
Neutral, formal
The company is under investigation for fraud.
Plea bargain
Agreement to plead guilty for lesser charge
Formal, legal
He accepted a plea bargain to reduce his sentence.
Due process
Fair legal treatment
Formal, legal
Everyone deserves due process under the law.
Restorative justice
Repairing harm caused by crime
Positive, legal
Restorative justice helps victims and offenders.
Community service
Punishment by unpaid work
Neutral, legal
He was sentenced to community service.
Juvenile offender
Young person who committed a crime
Formal, legal
The juvenile offender was given a warning.
Probation
Conditional freedom after conviction
Formal, legal
She is on probation for two years.
Law-abiding citizen
Person who respects the law
Positive, neutral
Most residents are law-abiding citizens.
Civil liberties
Basic individual rights
Formal, political
Civil liberties must be protected at all costs.
Sentencing
Punishment decided by court
Formal, legal
The sentencing was announced yesterday.
Bail
Temporary release from custody
Formal, legal
He was released on bail pending trial.
Legal representation
Lawyer or defense
Formal, legal
Everyone has the right to legal representation.
Court order
Official instruction from court
Formal, legal
The court order prohibited contact with the victim.
Arbitration
Settling disputes outside court
Formal, legal
They agreed to arbitration instead of a trial.
Habeas corpus
Right to be brought before a judge
Formal, legal, rare
Habeas corpus protects against unlawful detention.