SOFT-PEDALS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

soft-pedals 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of soft-pedal

as in downplays

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

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soft pedals

2 of 2

noun

plural of soft pedal

as in quieters

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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-pedals

Verb

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedals

Verb

Even as Sand downplays party politics, Democrats are putting faith in him to blaze a trail in the state after struggling electorally in recent cycles.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
That's likely why Mindelle downplays that part of the gig, and instead focuses on the comedy that keeps her on her toes.

— Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026

Definition of downplays

Verb

Placing the heavy shielding and reactor components in the middle minimizes the physical stress caused by bending moments at sea and insulates the nuclear systems from external side-impact collisions.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
The 10-mm heel drop (the difference in height between the heel and front of the foot) minimizes pressure when landing and takes stress off the Achilles.

— Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Definition of minimizes

Verb

While significant layoffs swept ESPN, the article dismisses speculation that high-profile contracts, such as Pat McAfee's, were the direct cause of Ravech's unexpected departure.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
One automatically ascribes fraud to results that are often predictable, even routine; the other dismisses legitimate concerns as conspiracy theories.

— Andrew E. Busch, The Conversation, 23 July 2026

Definition of dismisses

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“Soft-pedals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedals. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedals

verb

noun

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