as in downplays
to reduce in apparent importance
she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedals
Verb
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Hill downplays it a little bit more, but of course, getting to design a version of the creature has been the dream of a lifetime.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
3 Dec. 2025 -
Some said the removal of the black box warning from all forms of hormone therapy — particularly pills, which deliver estrogen to the entire body — isn’t scientifically justified and downplays evidence of real risks of longer-term use.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
Verb
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One that minimizes partisan conflict and builds partnerships for success.—
Arne Carlson,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
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This precaution minimizes electrical hazards during flooding.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The agreement, signed earlier this month, dismisses the federal lawsuit alleging officers should have known Dante Dwaine Day, 44, was having a mental crisis and called for intervention.—
Mathew Miranda,
Sacbee.com,
19 Dec. 2025
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The horror meister also dismisses outright any talk online about slowing his filmmaking pace after the box office disappointment for Keeper.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Soft-pedals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedals. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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