SOFT-SOAP Synonyms: 116 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'soft-soap' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish , cajole , coax , and wheedle . While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain. // politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

Q: When could 'blandish' be used to replace 'soft-soap'?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap , blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions. // legislators blandished with promises of support

Q: When can 'cajole' be used instead of 'soft-soap'?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections. // cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

Q: When would 'coax' be a good substitute for 'soft-soap'?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect. // coaxed the cat out of the tree

Q: In what contexts can 'wheedle' take the place of 'soft-soap'?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading. // hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

soft-soap 1 of 2

verb

ˈsȯf(t)-ˈsōp

Definition of soft-soap

as in to coax

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to honey

to praise too much shrewd voters who know when a politician is trying to soft-soap them

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

soft soap

2 of 2

noun

as in butter

excessive praise a salesman who knows the value of soft soap in making a sale

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb soft-soap differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of soft-soap are blandish, cajole, coax, and wheedle. While all these words mean "to influence or persuade by pleasing words or actions," soft-soap refers to using smooth and somewhat insincere talk usually for personal gain.

politicians soft-soaping eligible voters

When could blandish be used to replace soft-soap?

While in some cases nearly identical to soft-soap, blandish implies a more open desire to win a person over by effusive praise and affectionate actions.

legislators blandished with promises of support

When can cajole be used instead of soft-soap?

The meanings of cajole and soft-soap largely overlap; however, cajole suggests the deliberate use of flattery to persuade in the face of reluctance or reasonable objections.

cajoled him into cheating on the final exam

When would coax be a good substitute for soft-soap?

The words coax and soft-soap are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, coax implies gentle and persistent words or actions employed to produce a desired effect.

coaxed the cat out of the tree

In what contexts can wheedle take the place of soft-soap?

The words wheedle and soft-soap can be used in similar contexts, but wheedle suggests more strongly than cajole the use of seductive appeal or artful words in persuading.

hucksters wheedling her life's savings out of her

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of soft-soap

Verb

So do her successes in soft-soaping some recalcitrant senators into supporting the mission’s funding. — Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 July 2024

Noun

People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking. — Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 2 Sep. 2024 Founder and creative director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning bandages to soft soap, as well as regular editorial content online. — Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2021 For spills or stains, spot cleaning with soft soap like Zero or Woolite. — Rachel Klein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2021 Potassium hydroxide, on the other hand, produces an easily soluble soft soap. — C. Claiborne Ray, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for soft-soap

Verb

Arsenal want to do that in a range of ways — in personnel, stylistic development, and by coaxing more from their current group.

— Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 22 Aug. 2026
Last year, Ian Stamy took the state prize for his bumper soybean yield, coaxing an average of just over 100 bushels per acre from his operation in central Pennsylvania.

— Scott Neuman, NPR, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of coax

Verb

There’s massaging seats with 15 individual air bladders, and a heated windshield that uses a thin metallic coating to remove winter frost without having to rely on climate control.

— Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Aug. 2026
And, like Markiplier, Rice then embarks on years of hard work before the film’s release, massaging audience-specific outlets and influencers.

— Justine Bateman, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of massage

Verb

While the filmmakers should be commended for keeping the focus on Brockington and Prescott for most of the running time, the doc also feels somewhat unbalanced.

— Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026
The report commends changes including protecting wetlands, improving stormwater and wastewater infrastructure, and expanding water quality monitoring, including notification programs that warn people about unsafe conditions in rivers and streams.

— Joe Brandt, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of commend

Noun

Scam Buster is a bot that will reply to scammers in your inbox, placating them with the same social engineering tactics that scammers use, such as impersonation, flattery, and urgent messaging.

— Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026
Here is a man who believes fervently in his own flattery but also wields it like a weapon.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of flattery

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

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“Soft-soap.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/soft-soap. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of soft-soap

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