relent

verb

re·​lent ri-ˈlent How to pronounce relent (audio)
relented; relenting; relents
Synonyms of relentnext

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become less severe, harsh, or strict usually from reasons of humanity
b
: to cease resistance : give in
2
: let up, slacken

transitive verb

obsolete : soften, mollify

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for relent

yield, submit, capitulate, succumb, relent, defer mean to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist.

yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

Examples of relent in a Sentence

Our application was initially refused, but the city relented in the end and the permit was issued. They had refused to pay and relented only after being threatened with a lawsuit. The winds would not relent.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With stocks plummeting, Trump has refused to back down, seeming particularly unwilling to relent from his hard stance against China. —ArsTechnica, 7 Apr. 2025 These protests effectively shut down the country and forced Netanyahu to relent. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025 The hype around Cooper Flagg exploded two summers ago and has not relented. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2025 Last fall, Georgetown Law School denied a student’s request to take an in-person final remotely or move up an exam to accommodate her due date, before relenting amid a public outcry. —Bracey Harris, NBC News, 11 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relent

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, to melt, soften, from Anglo-French relenter, from re- + Latin lentare to bend, from lentus soft, pliant, slow — more at lithe

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of relent was in the 15th century

Rhymes for relent

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Browse Nearby Words

relend
relent
relentingly
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Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relent. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

relent

verb
re·​lent ri-ˈlent How to pronounce relent (audio)
1
: to become less severe, harsh, or strict
2
: slacken sense 1

More from Merriam-Webster on relent

Nglish: Translation of relent for Spanish Speakers

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