What term refers to an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant?

The term that refers to an indirect, less offensive way of saying something that is considered unpleasant is "euphemism." Euphemisms are often used to soften the impact of harsh or uncomfortable truths, allowing the speaker to address sensitive topics without causing offense or distress. For example, instead of saying someone has "died," one might say they have "passed away." This choice demonstrates an understanding of language’s capacity to convey difficult messages in a more palatable manner, which is especially relevant in various social and cultural contexts.

The other options do not have this particular connotation: "expletive" refers to a word or phrase, often profanity, that is used for emphasis or to express strong emotion; "exclamatory" relates to a type of sentence that expresses strong feelings or commands; and "fantasy" refers to an imagined situation that is not grounded in reality. Each of these terms serves a different function in language and communication, making "euphemism" the appropriate choice for describing a gentler alternative to unpleasant statements.