soft-pedal 1 of 2

soft pedal

2 of 2

noun

as in damper

Synonyms & Similar Words

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-pedal
Verb
Jean-Baptiste, her mouth set in a tight-lipped frown, her eyes ablaze with fear and loathing, soft-pedals nothing. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025 The movie One of the darkest true stories on this list, An American Crime never undersells or soft-pedals the ceaseless agony of Likens’ ordeal. Declan Gallagher and Chris Bellamy, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 Popular on Variety Navarro doesn’t soft-pedal her disdain for recent remarks former President Donald Trump has made about immigrants eating dogs and cats — just one of the hot topics Phillip and a shifting ensemble of pundits, reporters and experts tackle each weeknight. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 18 Sep. 2024 But Morrow’s quiet intensity, which doesn’t soft-pedal Isaac’s arrogance and belligerence, has a haunting quality. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2024 The flood of reports on Biden’s deterioration is another form of the same careerist impulse that led media outlets to soft-pedal his condition in the first place. Noah Rothman, National Review, 3 July 2024 Louis-Dreyfus is wonderful in this, ready for anything, never soft-pedaling her character’s flaws or panic or fear. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2024 The playwright further soft-pedals the protagonist by mitigating his toxic views on eugenics that in Ibsen (no matter how problematic his own beliefs) point to some basic shortcomings in humanity. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2024 The controversy began with criticisms of some universities, Harvard included, for soft-pedaling their responses to the horrific Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, and for then ignoring the overheated rhetoric of many pro-Palestinian protesters on campus. Stephen L. Carter, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2024
Noun
But at least Chalamet doesn’t try to soft pedal Dylan’s surliness and careerism, and his vocal re-creations are mostly spot on. Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Feb. 2025 Authors aimed at the business market tend to soft pedal AI, speaking only about the benefits while downplaying or outright ignoring the dangers. David A. Teich, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024 This is a two-part skill; his superb legato (or connected articulation) on the keyboard was heightened by skillful deployment of both the sustaining and the soft pedal. Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedal
Verb
  • Trump and other top administration officials have downplayed the use of the Signal to discuss the attack, saying classified information was not shared in the chat, despite the exchange including information on the weapons systems being used and the timing of the strikes.
    Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2025
  • However, their skills were often downplayed by claims that they’d been signed to generate ticket sales and boost interest in the struggling league.
    Callie Maddox, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Cadillac's marketing materials highlight both the luxury and sporty spirit of this crossover, and the shock dampers needed to live up to those somewhat divergent goals.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Ars Technica, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Despite having stiffer springs versus the MC20, the car offers a ride quality that remains pleasingly supple through retuned Bilstein adaptive dampers, even in sportier drive modes.
    Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Such programs help ensure that employees behave ethically and minimize disruptions to business operations—an attractive feature for building and maintaining intercompany relationships.
    Robert Anello, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
  • Regular use helps to minimize the appearance of pores, reduce dryness, and create a smoother, more polished look.3 8.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her — sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
    Vulture, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2022
  • After accidentally starting a wildfire, 7-year-old Lu, mute and from an abusive home, slyly tricks Merribelle, a hardworking trans woman, into kidnapping her – sparking a beautifully unexpected bond with a devastating expiration date.
    Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Dec. 2022
Verb
  • In the leadup to the settlement, Judge Frederick Chung denied the county’s motion to dismiss the case at the summary judgment phase that determines whether a lawsuit proceeds to trial.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2025
  • The case was dismissed after the judge overseeing the case ruled prosecutors did not properly turn over evidence to the defense.
    Alli Rosenbloom, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt: A 33-year-old man from St. Charles was arrested on charges of loud excessive noise caused by a muffler or lack thereof, improper lighting and driving under the influence of alcohol at 11:11 p.m. Feb. 15 at Raymond Drive and West Diehl Road.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Located inside a Googie-style former muffler shop building at 4839 E. Colfax Ave.
    Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 19 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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