paradiastole

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US/ˌpɛrədaɪˈæstəli/UK/ˌpærədaɪˈæstəli/

noun

A form of euphemism in which a positive synonym is substituted for a negative word.

OriginAncient Greek παραδιαστολή →
Scrabble 15
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Meanings

nounparadiastole (plural paradiastoles)

plural paradiastoles

  1. rhetoricA form of euphemism in which a positive synonym is substituted for a negative word.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekπαραδιαστολή
  2. Englishparadiastole

From Ancient Greek παραδιαστολή (paradiastolḗ), from παρα- (para-, “next to, alongside”) + διαστολή (diastolḗ, “separation, distinction”).

More words from Ancient Greek

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Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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