Euphemistic Labeling

Euphemistic labeling, one of several cognitive mechanisms of moral disengagement, is when people use sanitized or neutral language to describe harmful or unethical actions to seem less morally reprehensible and easier to justify. Like: I’m borrowing not stealing this. Or it’s collateral damage, not intentionally harming civilians. Or describes aggression as friendly teasing or “just joking.” Understanding this tactic of those crossing the moral line helps to unmake the true nature of unethical words or actions.