soft power

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noun

the ability to achieve one's goals without force, esp by diplomacy, persuasion, etcCompare hard power

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Words nearby soft power

soft palate, soft paste, soft pedal, soft porn, soft pornography, soft power, soft release, soft rock, soft-rock geology, soft roe, soft rot

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

How to use soft power in a sentence

The defeat of Islamic extremism requires both hard and soft power responses.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea|Bruce Riedel|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“She can help China build soft power,” said a source in the piece.
China’s Glamorous First Lady Peng Liyuan Saving the Communist Party With Song|Eveline Chao|March 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Americans tend to radically overestimate the benefits of "soft power" or "leading by example".
Ask the Blogger: How About That Election?|Megan McArdle|November 5, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Ayatollah Khomeini was a profound believer in soft power: say “the Truth” and the people would come.
Ahmadinejad Shows His Soft Side in U.N. Speech|Reuel Marc Gerecht|September 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The recent veto on Syria undermines its campaign to project “soft power” and a kinder, gentler image around the world.
China Sided With Russia on Syria out of Defensiveness, Not Strength|Melinda Liu|February 8, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Donnegan allowed her to stop him with that soft power for a moment, until his face went white—as if with pain.
Gunman's Reckoning|Max Brand
Mae felt herself gradually yielding to the spell of this man's soft power.
Mae Madden|Mary Murdoch Mason