relent

verb

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

intransitive verb

1
a
: to become less severe, harsh, or strict usually from reasons of humanity
b
: to cease resistance : give in
2
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 If Republicans don’t relent, Ukraine and its allies must figure out another way to win what is likely to be a long defensive campaign all along the 600-mile front of the wider war. David Axe, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2024 Earlier this week, a document was leaked outlining a drastic and shockingly detailed plan to collapse the Hungarian economy if Orbán does not relent and support the EU’s agenda in Ukraine. Michael Brendan Dougherty, National Review, 31 Jan. 2024 The Falcons, who are still looking for a head coach, initially blocked Nielsen from interviewing for a lateral position with Jacksonville before relenting. Mark Long, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 Israel won’t relent until the root threat posed to it by Iran and its proxies also gets addressed, even once Netanyahu and his extremist coalition are out of the picture. Marc Champion, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024 Gay ultimately stepped down on Tuesday, and Ackman did not relent in his criticism. Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 5 Jan. 2024 Walden relented and decided to give the first Black female news boss more time in the role. Lachlan Cartwright, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Feb. 2024 So unless Republicans in the United States relent, and the USA somehow can speed fresh aid to Avdiivka, the 110th Brigade and any units reinforcing will continue drawing down their rapidly-emptying arsenals. David Axe, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 At emergency meetings in Brussels, Orban relented from previous threats to spike an E.U. plan to deliver $54 billion in aid to Ukraine over the next four years. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'relent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near relent

Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/relent. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

relent

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

More from Merriam-Webster on relent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!