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

The filing suggested replacing it with an outdoor amphitheater, though administration officials have downplayed the idea as a present plan.

— Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Reflecting on her own legacy, Steinem typically downplayed her legendary status.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of downplayed

Verb

The most common complaint, reported by one-third of women, was that providers minimized or dismissed their symptoms or pain.

— Amanda Schupak, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2026
Late Season Snow is inevitable in elk country and is usually the factor that triggers migration, although lately several years of mild weather have minimized elk movement.

— Jim Zumbo, Outdoor Life, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimized

Verb

Challenges to Essayli’s position were brought in several criminal cases, with defense lawyers arguing that charges filed under his watch are invalid and should be dismissed.

— Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
One of them, dismissed Sooners quarterback Chris Robison, was the MVP of the 2019 Conference USA championship, Kiffin’s second league title in three seasons.

— Matt Baker, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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 pedal

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 19 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedaled

verb

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