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
Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Old school with a gift for storytelling, Simon was not one to soft-pedal his mentees.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This loud-and-proud version of Sonny certainly feels progressive, but in a different way it soft-pedals Sonny’s complications.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
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
Analysts fault Harris and party leaders for soft-pedaling Donald Trump’s felony convictions and other vulnerabilities, arguing Democrats’ rational, low-negative messaging couldn’t compete in an election defined by rage and relentless attack ads.
—Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Old school with a gift for storytelling, Simon was not one to soft-pedal his mentees.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 9 May 2026
This loud-and-proud version of Sonny certainly feels progressive, but in a different way it soft-pedals Sonny’s complications.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
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
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
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
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
-
But even that may downplay the risk.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
Fifield fired back at the New York Times in an X post on Friday for downplaying the story.—
Britta Miller,
The Washington Examiner,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Instead of shutting vents, consider having a professional install or adjust butterfly dampers at the main duct line for more effective and safe airflow control.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
30 May 2026
-
That puts a damper on a season that has seen the White Sox start 30-27.—
Chuck Murr,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Protect your mower by minimizing grass buildup with these 4 tips.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 June 2026
-
His medical team also worked carefully to minimize the emotional challenges that could accompany the process.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
If messages pile up, answer in batches and mute extras.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
28 May 2026
-
Huffman turned his mute on and his camera off.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.—
Jacqui Palumbo,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
The ruling came after similar cases in Michigan and Georgia were dismissed by the courts and a special prosecutor dropped a federal case in late 2024 that charged Trump with conspiring to overturn the 2020 election.—
Jacques Billeaud,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Several village trustees reported residents reaching out with frustrations about the noise caused by loud mufflers and safety issues from reckless driving.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
-
Namely, glycerin, a humectant that attracts moisture from the air and locks it into skin, and coconut oil, a fatty acid-rich skin softener that bestows instant glow.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
-
This Old House host Bob Vila chose this as his top pick for a filter and softener combo.—
Ryan Brennan
May 26,
Kansas City Star,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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