soft-pedal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Then-National Security Adviser John Bolton and other top aides managed to soft-pedal the decision, leaving a residual force in the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 22, 2026
But this is a longstanding problem, and it helps no one to soft-pedal that reality.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 17, 2023
Writing his memoir, Mr. Atae said, was a way to soft-pedal his eventual announcement to fans.
From New York Times ● Jul. 26, 2023
And as Lydia’s world begins to crumble and her hold on reality falters, Blanchett somehow pulls us closer still, refusing to soft-pedal the character’s monstrosity — or her magnificence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2022
I braced myself against his request, fearing he would ask me to soft-pedal.
From "Black Like Me" by John Howard Griffin
“For local politicians, it’s a pretty easy call when 60, 70, 80% of their county voted ‘no’ on the issue, to soft pedal it and not treat it like a serious crime,” he said.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 13, 2024
And even though Slate’s Matt Yglesias tries to soft pedal his designation by saying Snowden’s not necessarily the “best” but simply the most “influential” figure of the year, he’s wrong.
From Forbes ● Dec. 18, 2013
I had a few spots where I wanted to soft pedal but maintain speed.
From Reuters ● May 18, 2012
I thought that later I might also play the piano, something quiet, using the soft pedal.
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
"Do them good," her friend said viciously, but with the soft pedal down for once.
From Tiny Luttrell by Hornung, Ernest William
Rubin himself, ethnic and racial strife is ignored or soft-pedaled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2023
Ideological differences that were "soft-pedaled a year or two ago" were suddenly getting "a high-octane emphasis."
From Salon ● Nov. 21, 2022
I’m curious if you think you soft-pedaled her ideological stance because it would have made her too odious.
From Slate ● May 27, 2020
Jackson had soft-pedaled economic questions while campaigning, but he privately believed that government support for economic change would tempt lawmakers and businessmen to trade favors corruptly.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 18, 2018
He soft-pedaled the committee's controversial provision for the use of economic sanctions against recalcitrant businessmen, stressing instead the duty of commanders to press for changes through voluntary compliance.
From Integration of the Armed Forces, 1940-1965 by MacGregor, Morris J.
This may be soft-pedaling matters somewhat — to read the historical accounts might give you a different picture — but as drama it pays dividends.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 5, 2025
Rather than soft-pedaling his record, Mr. Fetterman expressed satisfaction in winning the release of inmates who served decades in prison, generally with model records.
From New York Times ● Sep. 27, 2022
It’s a strange choice, one made doubly so by the continual soft-pedaling in portraying Japan’s colonization of Korea.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 25, 2022
Nothing is to be gained, at this point, by soft-pedaling any initiative.
From Salon ● Sep. 9, 2019
“I’d like to hear a little more about the trip to Fort Scott,” he said, soft-pedaling.
From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote
In contrast to China, Seoul - which has been keen to build ties with Japan - has soft-pedalled its concerns and on Tuesday it said it "respects" the IAEA's findings.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 2023
But Mr Cryan has soft-pedalled on the sale.
From Economist ● Jul. 14, 2016
To date, Swann's absence for remedial surgery on his elbow injury has been stoically soft-pedalled.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 15, 2013
The debates are not soft-pedalled, yet Barker's targets, neatly pleated together, are sufficiently varied for the drama not to seem narrowly didactic.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 13, 2012
Simon always maintained not everyone could handle too much soft-pedalled reality.
From The Land of Look Behind by Brown, Paul Cameron
If it comes to fruition, there would be no sentimental soft-pedalling from Jones though.
From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2026
It has also raised questions whether his approach on human rights with China - he characterised it as "patience" but others criticised it as soft-pedalling - was justified in the end.
From BBC ● Dec. 30, 2024
The new education secretary has said she will be "nice to teachers", but she made it clear in an interview with the Sunday Times that she would not be "soft-pedalling" in the job.
From The Guardian ● Jul. 21, 2014
Mourinho, furiously soft-pedalling, may have played this one just right.
From The Guardian ● Mar. 4, 2013
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen in Sanaa says Yemen has been accused of soft-pedalling on al-Qaeda and is currently under pressure from its ally the US to produce results.
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2010
