as in minimizing
to reduce in apparent importance
she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people
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as in criticism
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Recent Examples of soft-pedaling
Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedaling
Verb
-
Your creative spark is valid, so stop minimizing it.—
Dossé-Via Trenou,
Refinery29,
5 Oct. 2025
-
This practice supports your lawn's health by promoting strong roots and minimizing thatch buildup.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The criticism drew a sharp and dismissive response from Kelani Jordan.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The move came on the heels of NFL analyst Rex Ryan's previous criticisms of Sanders’ outspoken nature.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Clooney also lends clarity on his decision to write a gutsy New York Times op-ed piece urging Joe Biden to not seek reelection, after Clooney set up a lucrative fundraiser for the incumbent and observed close up the decline in mental acuity that other Democrats were downplaying.—
Mike Fleming Jr,
Deadline,
2 Oct. 2025
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With the Chiefs set to take on the Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes addressed the controversy, downplaying the idea that the Jaguars are doing anything questionable.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But regulatory frameworks such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) and Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (CAIA) emphasize data minimization, retention limits and individual privacy rights.—
Asaf Kochan,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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In jurisdictions like the EU, mishandling personal information may violate provisions of the bloc’s strict data privacy law, GDPR, which includes principles like data minimization, informed consent, and the right to be forgotten.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
As a result of the investigation, embassy officials decided not to renew the employee’s contract, effectively dismissing him.—
T. Christian Miller,
ProPublica,
30 Sep. 2025
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The appellate court last year reversed Martínez-Olguín’s initial case dismissal, leading to the judge dismissing it again.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Astin’s remarks come after a formal condemnation of Norwood from SAG-AFTRA, as well as outcry from dozens of actors, including Emily Blunt, Melissa Barrera, Lukas Gage and more.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
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Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s latest tour de force is an absurdist, boldly surprising condemnation of his homeland.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Far from being simply a denunciation of marginalization, the song becomes a sincere embrace of vulnerable childhoods, highlighting the pain of those who grow up in poverty, neglect, and, often, are forced into crime as a means of survival.—
Tere Aguilera,
Billboard,
26 Sep. 2025
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Cinema sometimes has to know how to give in to a cause, but another thing entirely is to impoverish cinema by attributing to documentary cinema a mere and strict role of denunciation.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Kennedy has long held anti-vaccine beliefs that came to a head with his denouncement of the Covid-19 vaccines.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC news,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Soft-pedaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedaling. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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