dysphemism

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/ˈdɪs.fəˌmɪ.z(ə)m/

noun

The use of a word or phrase carrying negative connotations or imagery (especially one that is derogatory, offensive or vulgar) to replace a (more) neutral original.

Opposite
euphemism
OriginFrench dysphémisme →
Scrabble 23
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Meanings

noundysphemism (countable and uncountable, plural dysphemisms)

plural dysphemisms

  1. uncountableThe use of a word or phrase carrying negative connotations or imagery (especially one that is derogatory, offensive or vulgar) to replace a (more) neutral original.
  2. countableA word or phrase that is used to replace another in this way.

Synonyms & antonyms

Opposite
euphemism

nounan offensive or disparaging expression that is substituted for an inoffensive one

Opposite
euphemism
Broader
sayingexpressionlocution
Also see
pejorative

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Frenchdysphémisme
  2. Englishdysphemism

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

More words from French

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 污言穢語 /污言秽语, 惡俗字詞 /恶俗字词
  • 污言穢語 /污言秽语word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 惡俗字詞 /恶俗字词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 醜化誣衊之詞 /丑化诬蔑之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 誹謗中傷之詞 /诽谤中伤之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 謾罵侮辱之詞 /谩骂侮辱之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 冒犯詆毀之詞 /冒犯诋毁之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 粗鄙不雅之詞 /粗鄙不雅之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 惡意貶損之詞 /恶意贬损之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 污蔑抹黑之詞 /污蔑抹黑之词word or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • 言語攻擊 /言语攻击word or phrase used to replace another in this way
Czech dysfemismus, hanlivé slovo
  • dysfemismususe of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • hanlivé slovoword or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • dysfemismusword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Dutch dysfemisme, dysfemisme
  • dysfemismeuse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • dysfemismeword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Finnish dysfemismi, nimittely
  • dysfemismiuse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • nimittelyuse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • dysfemismiword or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • haukkumasanaword or phrase used to replace another in this way
French dysphémisme, hyperbole
  • dysphémismeuse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • hyperboleuse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • dysphémismeword or phrase used to replace another in this way
German Dysphemisierung, Dysphemismus
  • Dysphemisierunguse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • Dysphemismusword or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • Kakophemismusword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Italian disfemismo
  • disfemismoword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Malay bahasa kasar
  • bahasa kasaruse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
Polish dysfemizacja, dysfemizm
  • dysfemizacjause of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • dysfemizmword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Portuguese disfemismo, disfemismo
  • disfemismouse of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • disfemismoword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Russian дисфеми́зм, дисфеми́зм
  • дисфеми́зм (disfemízm)use of a derogatory or vulgar word to replace a neutral one
  • дисфеми́зм (disfemízm)word or phrase used to replace another in this way
Spanish disfemismo
  • disfemismoword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Swedish dysfemism, kakofemism
  • dysfemismword or phrase used to replace another in this way
  • kakofemismword or phrase used to replace another in this way
Cite this entry
APA

dysphemism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dysphemism

MLA

“dysphemism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dysphemism. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dysphemism,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dysphemism.

Source: dysphemism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.