SOFT SOAP Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'soft-soap' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish , cajole , coax , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'soft-soap'?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap , blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: When can 'cajole' be used instead of 'soft-soap'?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When would 'coax' be a good substitute for 'soft-soap'?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'soft-soap'?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

soft-soap 1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈsōp

Definition of soft-soap

as in to coax

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

as in to honey

to praise too much shrewd voters who know when a politician is trying to soft-soap them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soft soap

2 of 2

noun

as in butter

excessive praise a salesman who knows the value of soft soap in making a sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb soft-soap differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish, cajole, coax, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

When could blandish be used to replace soft-soap?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

When can cajole be used instead of soft-soap?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When would coax be a good substitute for soft-soap?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of soft-soap?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

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-soap

Verb

So do her successes in soft-soaping some recalcitrant senators into supporting the mission’s funding. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024

Noun

People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking. — Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2024 Founder and creative director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning bandages to soft soap, as well as regular editorial content online. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2021 For spills or stains, spot cleaning with soft soap like Zero or Woolite. — Rachel Klein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2021 Potassium hydroxide, on the other hand, produces an easily soluble soft soap. — C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-soap

Verb

Finding this family and a few others in Europe, the Reaveys coaxed them to come together in 2010.

— Deepa Fernandes, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Lynn hadn’t released a solo album since 1988’s Who Was That Stranger when White coaxed her out of early retirement.

— Walden Green, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of coax

Verb

The longer bristles can reach through the hair to massage the scalp, while the shorter ones help separate strands and work shampoo or conditioner through the hair.

— Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
Someone from Hästens will come to your bedroom thrice a year to massage, fluff and flip those layers, thereby dispensing with whatever malformations your body may have inflicted upon its perfect design and making everything right in the world again.

— Jaklin Romine Oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of massage

Noun

The two governors, who mended fences after clashing over last year’s Proposition 50 redistricting campaign, lavished praise on each other for their climate bona fides.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Schwarzenegger and Newsom piled praise upon each other during the Wednesday afternoon discussion, hugging at the end.

— Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

The Textile-to-Textile Ecosystem Award went to the Circulose Recycling Ecosystem, commending the brand commitments and fiber-producer partnerships supporting the Swedish company’s industrial restart.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
In a statement this week, the ACLU of Kansas commended Overland Park police for updating its policy, and for including community members in the process.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

Manipulation, escalation, flattery and vindictiveness are not the unavoidable price of sounding natural.

— Puneet Gaur, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026
Tom Cruise's recent effusive praise for Kate Middleton was not just Hollywood flattery, according to royal experts.

— Ashley Hume , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

Browse Nearby Words

soft pedals

soft-soap

soft soap

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Soft-soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-soap. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of soft-soap

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

compunction

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes