SOFT-PEDALING Synonyms: 81 Similar and Opposite Words

soft-pedaling 1 of 2

noun

as in criticism

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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

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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-pedaling

Verb

Whatever your preconceived notions about Feldman are, Hume’s film will expand and challenge them; the movie’s greatness lies in its ability to capture all of Feldman’s contradictions and self-destructiveness, empathizing with him without soft-pedaling his sins. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 23 Jan. 2026 Nothing grates quite like those slick pharmaceutical ads blaring across the TV, promising quick fixes while soft-pedaling potential side effects. — Alex Ward, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-pedaling

Noun

Trump's continuing criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and praise of Putin only give Putin further confidence the United States is not serious about imposing more severe sanctions.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
His government, the most nationalist and far-right in Israel’s history, faces domestic criticism over security failures and international criticism over the treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of criticism

Verb

According to Healthline, testosterone may help protect the brain by slowing nerve cell death, promoting regeneration after injury, minimizing nerve damage and reducing inflammation in the nervous system.

— Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 19 Oct. 2026
Other Preventative Aphid Control Good garden hygiene, even during the fall and winter months, is crucial for minimizing harborage areas for both overwintering aphid eggs and adults, according to Crumbley.

— Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of minimizing

Noun

That’s why some of the least glamorous line items (identity, segmentation, logging, vendor control and data minimization) in a multi-year technology program determine how effective the rest of the spending was.

— James Lindsey, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Federal trade regulators already urge clear prepurchase disclosures and data minimization for connected products.

— Jihun Joun, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimization

Verb

Eight states sued OpenAI this week, alleging that the AI company caused severe harm to users, many of them underage, while downplaying the risks of its technology.

— Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
But in recent months, T-Mobile has been downplaying the satellite service and floating the possibility of working with rival providers.

— Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of downplaying

Noun

Trump’s move drew bipartisan condemnation from lawmakers who backed the measure overwhelmingly.

— Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Netanyahu has criticized the violence but has taken few steps to crack down on incidents that have drawn international condemnation and sanction plans by longtime Israeli allies, including Britain.

— Reuters, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of condemnation

Verb

Things get even more alarming when Eidra can’t reach Tom Libby and reports start rolling in that Vaughn is dismissing everyone in Trowbridge’s government who’d had a significant relationship with Kate and her team.

— Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026
Citing 2026 laureate Navi Pillay—known for charging Israel with genocide and dismissing free speech—Schatz warns the award now rewards ideological insider posturing rather than genuine efforts to achieve international peace.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Noun

The frontrunner is Marine Le Pen, who has worked for years to make her far-right party, the National Rally, more electable while campaigning on immigration, crime, and denunciation of an out-of-touch political class.

— Nicholas Bequelin, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Each nutty denunciation of his imaginary tormentors includes a plea for a presidential pardon.

— Kevin Rennie, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of denunciation

Noun

Following Rourke’s denouncement of the GoFundMe effort, Hines told fans that if Rourke didn’t want the money, donors would be reimbursed.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026
In coordination with former President Franklin Roosevelt’s public denouncement of discrimination of Black Americans, Plato, president of the Plato Construction Company, was contracted to build 88 houses on the site of Camp Taylor, the former military installation in southwest Louisville.

— Steve Wiser, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Nov. 2025

Definition of denouncement

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“Soft-pedaling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedaling. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedaling

noun

verb

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