soft-pedal
1 of 2verb
soft-ped·al ˈsȯf(t)-ˈpe-dᵊl 
soft-pedaled; soft-pedaling; soft-pedals
transitive verb
1
: play down, de-emphasize
soft-pedal the issue
2
: to use the soft pedal in playing
soft pedal
2 of 2noun
1
: a foot pedal on a piano that reduces the volume of sound
2
: something that muffles, deadens, or reduces effect
Synonyms
Verb
- de-emphasize
- downplay
- play down
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Marcus Overton, sandiegouniontribune.com, 8 Jan. 2018
Noun
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 Word History
First Known Use
Verb
1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1
soft-pedaling 1 of 2
noun
as in criticism
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- criticism
- denunciation
- condemnation
- denouncement
- minimization
- vituperation
- invective
- censure
- de-emphasis
- abuse
- disparagement
- ridicule
- vilification
- denigration
- detraction
- slander
- calumny
- defamation
- backbiting
- libel
- derogation
- aspersion
- mockery
- depreciation
- diminishment
- derision
- belittlement
- deprecation
- put-down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- praise
- aggrandizement
- exaltation
- glorification
- magnification
- approval
- acclaim
- approbation
- blessing
- commendation
- ennoblement
- puffery
- hype
soft-pedaling
2 of 2verb
as in downplaying
to reduce in apparent importance she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people Synonyms & Similar Words
- downplaying
- minimizing
- dismissing
- de-emphasizing
- underplaying
- playing down
- understating
- denigrating
- decrying
- disparaging
- derogating
- belittling
- deprecating
- bad-mouthing
- trashing
- depreciating
- trash-talking
- running down
- talking down
- crying down
- poor-mouthing
- kissing off
- putting down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exaggerating
- overdoing
- overstating
- elaborating
- stretching
- embellishing
- overdrawing
- padding
- fudging
- overemphasizing
- hedging
- magnifying
- embroidering
- sensationalizing
- overplaying
- melodramatizing
- undecagon
- undecagons
- undecane
- undecanoic acid
- undeceivable
- undeceive
- undeceived
- undeceivers
- undeceives
- undeceiving
- undecent
- undeception
- undecidabilities
- undecidability
- undecidable
- undecided
- undecidednesses
- undecideds
- undecillion
- undecillions
- undecimal
- undecimoles
- undecipherability
- undecipherable
- undecipherably