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
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
This soft-pedalling impulse is evident in the revival’s treatment of Hank’s next-door neighbor Dale, a conspiracy nut who blames the U.N., the U.S. military, and the Cuban government for life’s inconveniences.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 Aug. 2025
Peter Rainer, The 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
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
This soft-pedalling impulse is evident in the revival’s treatment of Hank’s next-door neighbor Dale, a conspiracy nut who blames the U.N., the U.S. military, and the Cuban government for life’s inconveniences.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 8 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, The 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
-
Despite an impressive $60 million global opening, some outlets immediately downplayed the achievement, casting doubt on the film’s ability to make a profit on its $90 million production cost.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Trump himself downplayed Russia's involvement during a news conference Monday in Florida.—
Mariam Khan,
ABC News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
With its adaptive dampers and massive brakes, the M5 moves swiftly and with confidence.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
By the early 1900s, player pianos had evolved to more fully reproduce a human performance, including subtle dynamics like tempo changes and the introduction of a damper pedal.—
Adam Ozimek,
The Atlantic,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The frame is made from durable aluminum and wicker to minimize wear and tear over the seasons.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Applying mulch to your garden helps prevent weeds, retain soil moisture, and minimize erosion.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
15 Mar. 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
-
The owners who were arrested were charged with felonies; however, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg later dismissed the case due to conflicts of interest.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
20 Mar. 2026
-
As part of the plea agreement, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child — another third-degree felony — as well as a class-A misdemeanor charge of child abuse and a class-B misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief were dismissed.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 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
-
Bryde launders her sink skirt without any other items in the washing machine, sans softener.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
4 Mar. 2026
-
When used for cleaning, soda crystals serve as a laundry booster, water softener, and degreaser, whereas baking soda is used for deodorizing and as a mild abrasive for scrubbing surfaces.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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