1
as in coaxed
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
she cunningly soft-soaped her parents into letting her go on the trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in applauded
to praise too much
shrewd voters who know when a politician is trying to soft-soap them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-soaped
Verb
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Back at Studio Animal Services, Rocco and Porter, a handsome golden retriever, are eventually coaxed away from their favorite toys.—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025 -
Jokes on us because Mike Sullivan has somehow coaxed some real wins at the margin with these three on the ice.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Participants at the panel applauded the program but said a few adjustments would give major studios more confidence in utilizing it.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Nov. 2025
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One reviewer applauded its multipurpose design and used it as a serving tray for hors d'oeuvres and to display their electric candles.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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This novel was nominated for the Booker prize in 2021 and was praised for being genre-bending.—
Amber McBride,
Literary Hub,
5 Nov. 2025
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Chu praised Kerstein, likening the art of editing each musical number to a different puzzle.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The president even congratulated him following the June 3 opening of his restaurant The Detroit Cowboy in Nashville.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Several Love Is Blind and Perfect Match alums congratulated the couple in the comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the waning days of the pandemic, appreciation and recognition came from Los Angeles city and county officials, who, according to posts on Farzam’s Instagram, commended Farzam for operating Covid testing centers and hailed him as a leader and role model.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
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At-large Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera commended Patterson for breaking barriers in conjunction with delivering results.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
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Some bridesmaids prayed, others massaged her head, while others burned Palo Santo and turned to natural remedies.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The scrawny stray Marlon Brando stroked in The Godfather was found on the Paramount lot the morning of the shoot.—
Steve Garbarino,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Previously, Dimon has been flattered by the questions but has not responded firmly one way or the other.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
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Kershaw was flattered by the offer.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Soft-soaped.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-soaped. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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