/sawft"sel", soft"-/ , v. , soft-sold, soft-selling , adj.
v.t.
1. to promote (a product, service, etc.) using indirect or gentle persuasion: an advertising campaign to soft-sell a new perfume.
adj.
2. (of a sales technique) quietly or indirectly persuasive: a soft-sell approach to marketing.
[ 1950-55 ]