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-pedal 1 of 2
verb
as in to downplay
to reduce in apparent importance she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- downplay
- minimize
- dismiss
- de-emphasize
- underplay
- understate
- play down
- denigrate
- disparage
- decry
- derogate
- belittle
- deprecate
- bad-mouth
- depreciate
- cry down
- talk down
- trash-talk
- run down
- kiss off
- trash
- poor-mouth
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exaggerate
- overdo
- overstate
- elaborate
- embellish
- pad
- overdraw
- stretch
- magnify
- overemphasize
- embroider
- overplay
- sensationalize
- fudge
- hedge
- melodramatize
soft pedal
2 of 2noun
as in mute
Synonyms & Similar Words
- mute
- quieter
- damper
- muffler
- softener
- kill someone with kindness
- kill the clock
- kill the golden goose
- kill the time
- kill time
- kill two birds with one stone
- Kill Van Kull
- kill with kindness
- kill-courtesy
- kill-cow
- kill-kid
- kill-wart
- killable
- killabler
- killablest
- killadars
- killarney
- killarney green
- Killarney, Lakes of
- killas
- killcows
- killcrop
- killcrops
- killdee
- killdeer