A source of synonym also well worthy of note is the so-called euphemism in which by a shift of meaning a word of more or less 'pleasant' or at least inoffensive connotation becomes synonymous to one that is harsh, obscene, indelicate or otherwise unpleasant. The euphemistic expression Merry fully coincides in denotation with the word Drunk it substitutes, but the connotations of the latter fade out and so the utterance of the whole is milder, less offensive. The effect is achieved, because the periphrastic expression is not so harsh, sometimes jocular and usually motivated according to some secondary feature of the notion:

naked : :in one's birthday suit; pregnant : : in the family way. Very often a learned word which sounds less familiar is therefore less offensive, as in drunkenness: : intoxication; sweat: perspiration. 

Not only English but other modern languages as well have a definite set of notions attracting euphemistic circumlocutions.

These are notions of death, madness, stupidity, drunkenness, certain physiological processes, crimes and so on. 

For example: 

DIE: : be no more: : be gone: : lose one's life : : breathe one's life : : join the silent majority: :

go the way of all flesh : : pass away : : be gathered to one's fathers. 

A prominent source of synonymic attraction is still furnished by interjections and swearing addressed to God. To make use of God's name is considered sinful by the Church and yet the word, being expressive, formed the basis of many interjections. Later the word God was substituted by the phonetically similar word GOODNESS : for goodness sake! goodness gracious! Good Lord!