SOFT SOAP Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'soft-soap' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish , cajole , coax , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'soft-soap'?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap , blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: When can 'cajole' be used instead of 'soft-soap'?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When would 'coax' be a good substitute for 'soft-soap'?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'soft-soap'?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

soft-soap 1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈsōp

Definition of soft-soap

as in to coax

to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery she cunningly soft-soaped her parents into letting her go on the trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to honey

to praise too much shrewd voters who know when a politician is trying to soft-soap them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soft soap

2 of 2

noun

as in butter

excessive praise a salesman who knows the value of soft soap in making a sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb soft-soap differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish, cajole, coax, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

When could blandish be used to replace soft-soap?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

When can cajole be used instead of soft-soap?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When would coax be a good substitute for soft-soap?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of soft-soap?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of soft-soap

Verb

So do her successes in soft-soaping some recalcitrant senators into supporting the mission’s funding. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024

Noun

People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking. — Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2024 Founder and creative director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning bandages to soft soap, as well as regular editorial content online. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2021 For spills or stains, spot cleaning with soft soap like Zero or Woolite. — Rachel Klein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2021 Potassium hydroxide, on the other hand, produces an easily soluble soft soap. — C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-soap

Verb

After some coaxing from family, Ramirez realized he was perfectly equipped to create mobile kitchens from scratch.

— Jacob Sisneros, Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2026
The audience was delighted to be coaxed, delighted to hear from Goldberg herself.

— Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

Definition of coax

Verb

Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.

— Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.

— Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 2 July 2024

Definition of honey

Verb

The seats feature heating, ventilation, and massaging capabilities up front, along with eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
Instead, an equipment staffer lugged a bag of balls into a side training room and was allotted an hour to massage the footballs to the preferred specifications.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Definition of massage

Noun

Grant, however, has already drawn the praise of coach Jeff Hafley.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
But for all the praise Boone showered on Lombard on Friday, the skipper didn’t want to put any sort of timeline on his ETA or comment on whatever boxes the farmhand may still need to check.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026
Rutte’s approach of using flattery to win over the president prompted some to question whether this had delivered any tangible benefits for the alliance.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

Browse Nearby Words

soft pedals

soft-soap

soft soap

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Soft-soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-soap. Accessed 28 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of soft-soap

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

kludge

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

Popular in Wordplay

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 24

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes