1
as in coaxing
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
she cunningly soft-soaped her parents into letting her go on the trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in massaging
to praise too much
shrewd voters who know when a politician is trying to soft-soap them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-soaping
Verb
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Sacramento Bee political reporter Lia Russell, meanwhile, found coaxing their frog to jump nearly as difficult as coaxing a succinct answer out of California’s famously verbose governor.—
Andrew Graham
May 6,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026 -
Many of us don't have the time—or the skill—to work at coaxing flowers out of the garden.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In October 2018, a student told her school counselor and then Hiner that Agan had come up behind her and started massaging her neck beneath her long hair.—
Holly McDede,
ProPublica,
12 May 2026
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Berrios-Otero was later seen allegedly massaging both boys, including one of them in their groin and buttocks area, the warrant affidavits said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
2 May 2026
Verb
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Andrews, 64, revealed he was diagnosed in the fall of 2025, praising the nonprofit ALS Network for creating a sense of community for the couple following his diagnosis.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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Andrews has since partnered with the ALS Network, praising the organization for providing him and his fiancée, actress Erica Tazel, with a sense of community.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
18 May 2026
Verb
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There was only one other visitor, another mother stroking another small head.—
Fran Moreland Johns,
The Atlantic,
11 May 2026
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Alongside Cruise feeding and stroking his dying cat while walking around his mansion with his gut hanging out, there are shots of planes readying for battle and collapsing polar ice caps.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Vogue's hosts asked her on the carpet, later commending her dedication to fashion, art and costume.—
Dalila Muata,
NBC news,
5 May 2026
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Attention around Simpson has since taken off, with people commending him for his kindness and generosity.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Redick held back tears when general manager Rob Pelinka presented him with the game ball in the locker room on March 31 and showed a video of Redick’s sons, Knox and Kai, congratulating their dad.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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Sometimes, the crowd at a nearby ballpark will issue a rousing cheer – as if congratulating you on a hike well done.—
John Metcalfe,
Mercury News,
4 May 2026
Verb
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In fact, Seydoux was among those in the audience applauding tonight.—
Tom Tapp,
Deadline,
17 May 2026
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Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore and Pawel Pawlikowski could be seen applauding in the audience after the screening.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Ben spends the afternoon buttering up Ellie and praising her cake-icing skills, and even gives her the task of decorating the wedding cake.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
31 Mar. 2026
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The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.—
Ashley Iasimone,
Billboard,
3 Sep. 2019
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Cite this Entry
“Soft-soaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-soaping. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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