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 In the years after the law was enacted, the U.S. economy entered a deep slump, which didn’t fully relent until 1897. —John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025 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 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
  • Firefighter Hoffman, succumbed to his injuries in the intensive care unit.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Day 3, morning: A nation on edge, a family at ease The Sanders family never succumbed to negativity in the public throughout the historic slide and cruel prank.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • But much of that has subsided now; the Steelers, after all, don’t have a second-round pick and trading up could be out of the question as a result.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 24 Apr. 2025
  • While immediate inflation concerns have subsided, the current administration's aggressive tariff and immigration policies are creating new economic anxieties that could lead to future instability.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Anonymous tips can be submitted at ManateeCrimestoppers.com.
    — Michael Moore Jr., Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2025
  • 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
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Meanwhile, a more constrained and domestically focused healthcare agenda is likely to diminish trust in federal health agencies, limit access to culturally competent care and produce a loss of global leadership in health innovation.
    — Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Whereas a decline in home values diminishes the equity investors might hold in their properties, which limits their ability to leverage assets for additional investments or refinancing opportunities.
    — William Jones, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • While results at the time tasted similar to the real thing, its inventors conceded that the texture didn’t quite work.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Berlin has changed a lot since Soho House opened here, Bryan conceded, when asked how the organization keeps its cachet after all these years.
    — Cathrin Schaer, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2025
Definition of concede
Verb
  • The number of Jesuits globally has steadily decreased since the 1960s, when there were more than 36,000.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Winds will decrease Friday night before increasing again Saturday morning.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • While it’s been relatively rare for charter schools in Fort Worth to surrender their charters, Rocketship Texas’ closure comes about a year after the closure of another local campus, for similar reasons.
    — Silas Allen, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Samia’s fate remains unknown as she’s reported to be be held in the Sudanese prison Kober, known for its treacherous conditions, which is the intel that leads Martian to surrender to James Richardson’s (Hugh Bonneville) condition to become a double agent.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 24 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 2 May. 2025.

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