How to Pronounce Soft-pedal

To pronounce "soft-pedal", say SOFTP-ed-al — 3 syllables. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

soft-pedal

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying soft-pedal, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

3

Syllables

10

Letters

SOFTP-ed-al

Say it like

💡 Tip for remembering “soft-pedal”

"soft-pedal" has 3 syllables: softp-ed-al.

What does soft-pedal mean?

verb

  1. To attempt to persuade without being obvious about it, by understating a position so the listener takes the good points as obvious.
  2. To tone down, damp, mute or obscure something; to proceed in a less forceful, circumspect or subdued manner.

Antonyms

emphasize

Related words

pedalbackpedalpedipulatesaddlefloorheavy-foottreddle

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "soft-pedal"?▾

"Soft-pedal" has 3 syllables: softp · ed · al.

What does "soft-pedal" mean?▾

Soft-pedal: To attempt to persuade without being obvious about it, by understating a position so the listener takes the good points as obvious.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “soft-pedal” in the full dictionary →