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soft-pedal 1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈpe-dᵊl How to pronounce soft-pedal (audio)
Definition of soft-pedalnext
as in to downplay
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

soft pedal

2 of 2

noun

as in damper

Related Words

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-pedal
Verb
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
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 See All Example Sentences for soft-pedal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedal
  1. downplay
  2. damper
  3. minimize
  4. mute
  5. dismiss
  6. muffler
  7. softener
Verb
  • Players often downplay symptoms to stay on the field—and many signs of brain trauma, such as headaches, memory problems and fatigue, are easy to hide.
    — Alexandra Pattillo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Jones downplayed the significance of Hamilton's familiarity with Kennesaw State's coaching staff when asked on Tuesday.
    — Michael Harley, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of downplay
Noun
  • This Dodge Charger reboot in Scat Pack form isn’t a cush highway cruiser, but the adaptive dampers keep it from getting skittish over broken Midwest pavement.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Fang Cheng Bao Meanwhile, the DiSus-M (Magnetorheological Fluid Damping System) uses magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers instead of air chambers.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of damper
Verb
  • The 49ers have played from ahead in each of their three games, minimizing obvious passing situations and third-and-longs.
    — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Those challenges include performing nonlinear operations, incorporating memory, maintaining computational precision, minimizing optical losses and integrating photonic components with conventional electronics.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of minimize
Noun
  • At its heart is 17 year old dance student Xiaoliu, who returns home on leave after an unsettling encounter at school leaves her mute.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Almost a decade ago, Jon Bernthal and Tom Holland starred in a little movie called Pilgrimage, in which the former is a mute and the latter is his sole companion.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 23 July 2026
Definition of mute
Verb
  • The complaint escalates the department’s battle with the federal judiciary, which has halted administration priorities, dismissed high-profile prosecutions and accused government lawyers in some cases of failing to comply with court orders.
    — Alanna Durkin Richer, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The state did not seek to dismiss allegations related to Morrissey’s statements to the media or to her agreement to log a cache of bullets under a separate case number, functionally hiding them from the defense.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of dismiss
Noun
  • This year, he was ticketed on four occasions for alleged violations including failing to display license plates, not having his registration card and proof of insurance, and for not having a working muffler, according to court records.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026
  • The pipe takes multiple bends before feeding into a handmade box muffler that doubles as a functional heat shield.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of muffler
Noun
  • That might mean treating the water with a softener, periodically removing buildup from your fixtures and hair or simply living with a little extra scale around the faucet.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026
  • So, the researchers treated them with glycerol, which works as a softener.
    — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of softener

Browse Nearby Words

softness
soft-pedal
soft pedal
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Cite this Entry

“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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