Soft-pedal

Quick meaning: Soft-pedal is a verb meaning To reduce the volume of (music, a sound, etc.).

Meaning

To reduce the volume of (music, a sound, etc.).

More Meanings

1. To attempt to persuade someone about (something) through understatement, so that the listener accepts the good points as obvious.
2. (intransitive, figuratively) Chiefly followed by on: to act in a less assertive or forceful manner.
3. To reduce the force or impact of (something); to damp, to mute; especially, to minimize the less desirable aspects of (something); to play down, to tone down.

Example Sentences

But when the first female also-ran at a convention merits such hoopla and hosannas, then it is harder for viewers to understand why the Democrats seem intent on soft-pedaling their presumptive nominee's arguably more remarkable breakthrough.

Word Forms

• soft-pedals
• soft-pedaling
• soft-pedalling
• soft-pedaled
• soft-pedalled

Synonyms for soft-pedal

Depending on context, synonyms include de-emphasize, downplay.

Antonyms for soft-pedal

Common opposites include emphasize, highlight, spotlight.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include pedal, backpedal, pedipulate, saddle, floor, heavy-foot.

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