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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soft pedals

2 of 2

noun

plural of soft pedal

as in quieters

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Example Sentences

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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