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-pedaled
verb
as in downplayed
to reduce in apparent importance she politely tries to soft-pedal her accomplishments when talking to less fortunate people Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- downplayed
- minimized
- dismissed
- de-emphasized
- played down
- underplayed
- understated
- denigrated
- disparaged
- decried
- derogated
- belittled
- bad-mouthed
- depreciated
- talked down
- trashed
- trash-talked
- deprecated
- kissed off
- ran down
- cried down
- poor-mouthed
- put down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exaggerated
- overstated
- elaborated
- embellished
- stretched
- padded
- magnified
- overdid
- embroidered
- hedged
- overemphasized
- overplayed
- fudged
- overdrew
- sensationalized
- melodramatized