The antonyms for the phrase "banged away at" can be gentle, lightly touched, or cautiously approached. Rather than forcefully attacking a task, one might approach it with tenderness or delicacy. Instead of banging away at a piano, for example, one could play it softly or gently. Rather than harshly scrubbing a surface, it may be better to lightly clean it. When completing a difficult project, one could approach it with caution and care, rather than rushing in recklessly. Antonyms for "banged away at" suggest a more measured, thoughtful approach to tasks and projects.