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

But the lobbyist has doubled down on her criticism of McCuskey in a recent letter to Illinois’ four top legislative leaders and obtained by the Tribune.

— Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
The sharpest criticism of the deal came from Venezuelan opposition figures, who argue that a caretaker administration installed after a foreign military operation has no standing to sign away a century of oil rights.

— Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of criticism

Verb

By using passive mechanical elements, lightweight materials, and low-power tactile sensing, the hand can support the drone while minimizing the energy required for interaction.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026
Various businesses are actively opting for edge computing to process data closer to IoT endpoints, improving real-time decision-making and minimizing latency.

— Alper Yegin, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of minimizing

Noun

Its core commitments are voluntary and informed participation, minimization of harm to participants, confidentiality and prior approval by an institutional review board that weighs risk against scientific value.

— Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
That's an incredible minimization of what Cunningham actually faced.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of minimization

Verb

Much like Big Tobacco was forced to admit that cigarettes can cause cancer or Purdue Pharma was forced to stop downplaying the risks of OxyContin, this agreement now puts Meta’s core products in a negative light.

— Diane Brady, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
One of Gates’ most striking claims, though, is that tech leaders are knowingly downplaying AI’s risks because of the money involved.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of downplaying

Verb

William Roberson Anyone dismissing the Slingshot (in any form) on practicality grounds is missing the point by a light year or two - the Slingshot makes a Miata seem like a spacious minivan.

— William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
She was especially hurt that some of the people who criticized Cox most harshly, dismissing him as craven and disingenuous, were those who had the closest relationships with him.

— McKay Coppins, The Atlantic, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of dismissing

Noun

What Assange wanted was not a system hardened against attacks, but one tied in knots, hopelessly conflicted and filled with suspicion, denunciations, and purges.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
Iran launched a drone attack against Azerbaijan early in the war, triggering harsh denunciations and speculation that Azerbaijan could enter the war.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-pedaling

noun

verb

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