soft-pedaling 1 of 2

noun

Definition of soft-pedalingnext
as in criticism

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soft-pedaling

2 of 2

verb

present participle of soft-pedal
as in minimizing
to reduce in apparent importance she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedaling
  1. criticism
  2. minimizing
  3. downplaying
  4. condemnation
  5. dismissing
  6. denunciation
  7. censure
  8. invective
Noun
  • Francis has long welcomed frank and open debates and even has welcomed criticism of his own work.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2024
  • The professional wrestler also gave a direct response to a user who appeared to be poking fun at people’s criticisms that her edibles were too accessible to the dog.
    Bailey Richards, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
Definition of criticism
Verb
  • Suited for mature skin of any type, the cream boosts the radiance of dull skin while minimizing the appearance of pores and promoting a softer, smoother texture.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 Dec. 2024
  • However, this gentle, pore-minimizing formula that PEOPLE tested has completely changed my opinion this year.
    Alyssa Brascia, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
Definition of minimizing
Verb
  • Members of Congress and New Jersey and New York state officials are among those who have brought their concern and counsel to social media, calling for the government to take concrete action and to stop downplaying the concerns.
    Brad Dress, The Hill, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Local officials have continued to push for more information despite federal officials downplaying the situation.
    Simmone Shah, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024
Definition of downplaying
Noun
  • Their actions drew condemnation on social media from political leaders on both the left and the right.
    David Plazas, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024
  • Some are singling out the pay raise in their condemnations.
    Axios, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024
Definition of condemnation
Verb
  • Ignoring or dismissing a woman’s expertise.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
  • Cuomo, a Democrat, has denied the allegations, dismissing the investigations as politically motivated attacks.
    Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
Definition of dismissing
Noun
  • Indeed, part of his genius is that all the denunciations and impeachments and indictments seem only to have increased his power and popularity.
    Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024
  • Fear, the emotion that predominates in Le Corbeau, seems familiar — lingering from the tyrannical Covid lockdowns, Stasi-like doxxing, denunciations, and the social antagonism endured through political partisanship.
    Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Definition of denunciation
Noun
  • The party says there will be disciplinary action — which could include censure, suspension and a ban — for those who violate the code.
    Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
  • Heinz removed the censure from his request and put forth a motion requesting investigations by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona into the sheriff's actions.
    Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Definition of censure
Noun
  • Police officers have been injured, spit on and had objects hurled at them, the same invective screamed at them as the insurrectionists screamed at the Capitol Police on Jan. 6.
    Jeff Robbins, Boston Herald, 10 June 2024
  • As a result, Thai social media is full of satire and bitter invective directed at the monarch.
    Tamara Loos, Foreign Affairs, 7 Dec. 2020
Definition of invective
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near soft-pedaling

soft-pedaled

soft-pedaling

soft pedals

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Soft-pedaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedaling. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

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