as in to downplay
to reduce in apparent importance
she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people
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Recent Examples of soft-pedal
Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
But a communications strategy designed to soft-pedal radioactive contamination of food won’t make America healthy.
—Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.
—Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
On the other hand, the idea of being Colorado sober soft-pedals the potentially addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, said Alton P. Dillard II, a media consultant for the One Chance to Grow Up nonprofit.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Translation: compliance burdens are rising, even if the U.S. is soft-pedaling near-term enforcement.
—Pam Kaur, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Heringer believes the city soft-pedals crime, pointing to metrics that show improvement but not where pockets of violent crime persist.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.
—Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Authors aimed at the business market tend to soft pedal AI, speaking only about the benefits while downplaying or outright ignoring the dangers.
—David A. Teich, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
This is a two-part skill; his superb legato (or connected articulation) on the keyboard was heightened by skillful deployment of both the sustaining and the soft pedal.
—Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Jan. 2018
Verb
This loud-and-proud version of Sonny certainly feels progressive, but in a different way it soft-pedals Sonny’s complications.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026
But a communications strategy designed to soft-pedal radioactive contamination of food won’t make America healthy.
—Washington Post, 22 Jan. 2026
In fact, several of the investigators believed the shooting was intentional, and that the Biden administration had actually soft-pedaled the investigation’s findings to appease Israel.
—Scott Griffen, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
On the other hand, the idea of being Colorado sober soft-pedals the potentially addictive effects of cannabis and psychedelics, said Alton P. Dillard II, a media consultant for the One Chance to Grow Up nonprofit.
—John Wenzel, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
Translation: compliance burdens are rising, even if the U.S. is soft-pedaling near-term enforcement.
—Pam Kaur, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Heringer believes the city soft-pedals crime, pointing to metrics that show improvement but not where pockets of violent crime persist.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025
Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects.
—Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
But at least Chalamet doesn’t try to soft pedal Dylan’s surliness and careerism, and his vocal re-creations are mostly spot on.
—Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025
Authors aimed at the business market tend to soft pedal AI, speaking only about the benefits while downplaying or outright ignoring the dangers.
—David A. Teich, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
This is a two-part skill; his superb legato (or connected articulation) on the keyboard was heightened by skillful deployment of both the sustaining and the soft pedal.
—Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedal
Verb
-
Nation-states are highly invested in projecting certain narratives about a war that align with their interests while downplaying contradictory narratives.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Perhaps in response, a Microsoft executive downplayed the company's AI focus last month while talking up major improvements to future Windows 11 updates.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This week, the region is getting a reprieve of cooler, damper weather, with snow back in the forecast by the end of the week in North Park.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Joey Wiemer jumped on a 2-1 splitter below the zone for a three-run blast that put a quick damper on Imanaga’s strong spring finale.—
Andy Martinez,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
If moving the plant is absolutely necessary, wait for a series of cool and rainy days to minimize transplant shock.—
Heather Bien,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The best tool for minimizing false positives in the field is to give officers more accurate, electronic testing devices, the Roadside Drug Test Innocence Alliance said.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Huffman turned his mute on and his camera off.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Gazes tangle, sound mutes, time bends.—
Addie Citchens,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But in the motion to dismiss, McCallum said the shooter did not touch the railing.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
-
The deal dismissed charges of first-degree murder, tampering with a human body, burglary and theft from his case.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors also allege that McKee used a firearm with a muffler, according to a copy of the grand jury indictment obtained by PEOPLE.—
Chris Spargo,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Heemeyer was a welder who owned a muffler shop in town.—
John B. Snow,
Outdoor Life,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Hobbs has spent thousands of dollars of her own money to install a water filter and softener in a quest to provide her son with safe water.—
Karl Schneider,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
-
For extra help, Gupta says most people are OK to use a gentle laxative or stool softener.—
Nicole Hernandez,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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