Synonyms of soft-soap

soft-soap 1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈsōp 

1

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

• coax
• wheedle
• cajole
• blandish
• lure
• seduce
• sweet-talk
• woo
• palaver
• entice
• beg
• urge
• overpraise
• blarney
• massage
• flatter
• tempt
• charm
• importune
• beseech
• butter up
• wangle
• adulate
• cozen
• juggle
• wile
• finagle
• beguile

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• harass
• tease
• bug
• cow
• intimidate
• bully
• pester
• force
• nag
• make
• require
• coerce
• compel
• demand
• browbeat
• bulldoze
• constrain
• oblige

2

as in to honey

to praise too much

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• honey
• massage
• commend
• overpraise
• praise
• stroke
• congratulate
• applaud
• flatter
• puff
• butter up
• hero-worship
• wheedle
• coax
• adulate
• cajole
• woo
• blarney
• blandish
• belaud
• sweet-talk
• suck (up to)
• fawn
• compliment
• kowtow
• romance
• toady
• eulogize
• ingratiate
• endear
• idolize
• extol
• felicitate
• laud
• worship
• court
• gush
• slobber
• slaver
• drool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• put down
• belittle
• disparage
• decry
• depreciate
• bad-mouth

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

• butter
• sweet talk
• praise
• flattery
• taffy
• acclaim
• incense
• adulation
• respects
• flannel
• adoration
• regards
• blarney
• overpraise
• worship
• caresses
• congratulations
• compliments
• greetings
• blandishments
• applause
• felicitations
• idolatry
• endearments
• cajolement
• fawning
• allurements
• cajolery
• sycophancy
• ingratiation
• toadying
• smarm
• commendation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• depreciation
• disparagement
• detraction
• belittlement
• bad-mouthing
• put-down

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

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