Word for: a synonym with a positive connotation?
For example:
"Cautious is just a _________ for being scared."
"Opportunistic is just a _________ for being inconsiderate."
"Not too bright is just a _________ for being dumb."
"Simple is just a _________ for being ignorant.
The word is used often in politics to expose someone as being partial to a particular idea or identity. The word in question has a similar nature to the word "pseudonym".
Solution 1:
I think the word you want is euphemism. According to Merriam-Webster,
euphemism - noun
- The substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant
- The expression so substituted
It fits all your examples, e.g. "Cautious is just a euphemism for being scared."
Solution 2:
It's
a politically correct word or expression ,
which is used instead of another one to avoid being offensive:
"Some people think that "fireman" is a sexist term, and prefer the politically correct term "firefighter"."
There is also a special term circumlocution.
According to Cambridge Dictionary :
Circumlocution
(an example of) an indirect way of saying something, especially something unpleasant:
"Economical with the truth" is a circumlocution for "lying".
// Politicians are experts in circumlocution.