soft-pedal 1 of 2

soft pedal

2 of 2

noun

as in damper

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples 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
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 Mann neither skimps on visceral excitement nor soft-pedals the horror, which makes Enzo’s indifference seem all the more maddening. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023
Noun
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
  • Modi and many of his BJP allies have spent years demonizing cow-killers while at the same time downplaying lynching reports.
    Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Georgian Dream officials have repeatedly downplayed the prospect of U.S. sanctions.
    Nana Sajaia, Fox News, 1 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The steering is firm and direct, while air suspension and adaptive dampers provided a smooth and controlled ride on driving on past meadows on fast, rolling roads and alongside twisting rivers.
    Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 23 Sep. 2024
  • Somehow, the firmer springs pair with the shock dampers to glue the car to the ground, providing a more stable platform that absorbs reverberations even better than the supposedly more comfortable Tour.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • In the future, treatments will be customized to an individual’s DNA, maximizing medication efficacy and minimizing side effects.
    Elizabeth Kiehner, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
  • So, based on what is known now, here is a look at how to position your savings, minimize your debts and best situate your investments for the new year.
    Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 19 Dec. 2024
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
  • The judge issued a ruling to nolle the charges against him, meaning they would be dismissed.
    David R. Cameron, Hartford Courant, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Musk publicly dismissed these worries, but environmental groups successfully pressured Tesla to reduce its water consumption.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Inspired by the Ducati Desmosedici, there is a box-style muffler cleverly integrated into the rear fender, and the headers have been hand-sand-bent.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 27 Oct. 2024
  • In addition to the ECU, other upgrades include a Steeda Autosports under-drive supercharger pulley, Borla long-tube headers, and a Ford Performance muffler.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near soft-pedal

softness

soft-pedal

soft pedal

Cite this Entry

“Soft-pedal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-pedal. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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