SOFT-PEDALED Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

soft-pedaled

verb

past tense of soft-pedal

as in downplayed

to reduce in apparent importance she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people

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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-pedaled 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedaled

Verb

On top of that, Saka downplayed all the criticisms of Tuchel coming into Saturday’s match.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
In our most recent conversation, Gershman dismissed the account Sebold gave in her memoir and downplayed the parts of her testimony that were more ambiguous.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Definition of downplayed

Verb

The team successfully minimized these electrical traps by adjusting the processing of the electrolyte, thereby reducing electron leakage.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 July 2026
The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity, the department says.

— Baltimore Sun staff, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026

Definition of minimized

Verb

Scott first attended Arizona State on a partial golf scholarship, but was dismissed from the team after an incident with a visiting recruit.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 18 July 2026
In our most recent conversation, Gershman dismissed the account Sebold gave in her memoir and downplayed the parts of her testimony that were more ambiguous.

— Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Definition of dismissed

Verb

Our tactile and sensory life has been de-emphasized in favor of ideas, symbols, accomplishments, and abstractions.

— Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
The changes have included an overhaul of Google’s ubiquitous search engine that has de-emphasized a listing of relevant web links in its results and increasingly highlighted AI overviews and conversational responses provided through an AI mode.

— Michael Liedtke, Fortune, 6 Nov. 2025

Definition of de-emphasized

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soft-pedaled

soft-pedaling

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“Soft-pedaled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedaled. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedaled

verb

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