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

In her role as well as elsewhere, Kalle downplays the explicit homophobia that might have rendered this a more simplistic allegory, making Asla less a figure of interfering jealousy than a woman who simply doesn’t want to be abandoned yet again.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 26 July 2026
Miller also downplays concerns about competition with the Jaguar Type 01, highlighting the GT's greater versatility fcompared to Jaguar's more design-focused, less practical offering.

— James Morris, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Definition of downplays

Verb

The sheets are also coated in a gel essence for a smooth, seamless feel, which minimizes friction—making these the virtual opposite of an exfoliating pad.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 27 July 2026
Take Bovaer, a popular feed additive that reduces cows’ methane emissions — or, in other words, minimizes the methane in their burps.

— Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 27 July 2026

Definition of minimizes

Verb

Warsh, conversely, advocates for the Fed to be more opaque, a strategy the author dismisses as misguided.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 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

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“Soft-pedals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedals. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedals

verb

noun

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