substitution of a derogatory or offensive word or phrase for an innocuous one
2.
the word or phrase so substituted
Derived forms
dysphemistic (ˌdyspheˈmistic)
adjective
Word origin
C19: dys- + euphemism
dysphemism in American English
(ˈdɪsfəˌmɪzəm)
noun
1.
the substitution of a harsh, disparaging, or unpleasant expression for a more neutral one
2.
an expression so substituted
Derived forms
dysphemistic
adjective
Word origin
[1880–85; dys- + (eu)phemism]This word is first recorded in the period 1880–85. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Chief of Staff, barnstorm, irredentist, pari-mutuel, regionalismdys- is a combining form meaning “ill,” “bad,” used in the formation of compound words.Other words that use the affix dys- include: dysfunction, dyslogia, dyspeptic, dysprosium, dystrophic
Examples of 'dysphemism' in a sentence
dysphemism
The first is dysphemism, the deliberate use of an offensive word to indicate disapproval.