relent

verb

ri-ˈlent How to pronounce relent (audio)
Definition of relentnext
1
as in to succumb
to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) the supervisor finally relented in the face of the petition, and allowed employees to take longer lunch breaks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to subside
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the fury of the storm relented, and the next day the sun finally broke through the clouds

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb relent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of relent are capitulate, defer, submit, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

When is capitulate a more appropriate choice than relent?

The meanings of capitulate and relent largely overlap; however, 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

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to relent?

Although the words defer and relent have much in common, 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

When can submit be used instead of relent?

In some situations, the words submit and relent are roughly equivalent. However, 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

When is it sensible to use succumb instead of relent?

While in some cases nearly identical to relent, 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

When would yield be a good substitute for relent?

While the synonyms yield and relent are close in meaning, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

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 relent After this devastation, the Pharaoh finally relented. —Holly Rizzuto Palker, Parents, 27 Mar. 2025 Back then, in part thanks to principled conservatives in the Administration and in Congress, the Administration relented and released the aid after details about the hold in assistance began to emerge. —Mark Sandy, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025 Before the case was tried, Coolidge in March 1924 finally relented and forced an uncooperative Daugherty to resign. —Douglas M. Charles, The Conversation, 12 Mar. 2025 If Trump has any intention of relenting, there’s no sign of it yet. —Varad Mehta, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent
  1. succumb
  2. subside
  3. submit
  4. diminish
  5. concede
  6. decrease
  7. surrender
  8. budge
Verb
  • Typically seen as a safe haven asset in times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty, gold succumbed to the aftershock of Trump’s policy seesawing in recent days before rallying 1.7% to around $3,228 an ounce on Friday morning.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Within a fortnight, a farmer in rural Georgia is hospitalized with a high fever and vomiting blood; a week later his son in San Antonio succumbs, becoming the first U.S. Ebola death.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • While the threat of more tornadoes has subsided in the Great Plains, fire danger remains elevated Monday in the region.
    — Ginger Zee, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Inflation, which went wild post-Covid, subsided in February, according to data yesterday that gave markets a brief reprieve.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • In one of the more shocking upsets in UFC title fight history, Pena submitted Nunes in the second round, ending the Brazilian’s title reign.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Anonymous tips can be submitted at ManateeCrimestoppers.com.
    — Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.
    — Jay King, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Lacy turned himself in to police on Jan. 12, but his NFL Draft prospects were significantly diminished by the wreck.
    — Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Deputy Latah County Prosecutor Ashley Jennings also flat out denied Taylor's accusations that prosecutors were slow-walking discovery and said everything the defense has asked for has been provided, a point that Taylor conceded in front of the judge.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • His interrogator conceded that the police must have gotten the wrong guy and released him within weeks.
    — Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of concede
Verb
  • And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.
    — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.
    — Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • Instead, the Brewers allowed 36 runs, surrendering 15 home runs, as the Yanks swept the three games.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Michael Busch drove an elevated fastball into the seats, the first extra-base hit Sasaki had surrendered all season.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • Neither of those prices have budged since BetMGM first posted them, though Iriafen’s third pick odds have improved slightly from +500 to +400.
    — Max Meyer, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Getty Images Mortgage rates have barely budged in the last month.
    — Diana Olick, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of budge

Browse Nearby Words

relegations
relent
relented
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Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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