RELENT Synonyms: 110 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

relent

verb

ri-ˈlent

Definition of relent next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 On Monday evening, the Clintons relented, agreeing to comply with Comer’s demands. —

Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 3 Feb. 2026 Neither player was willing to relent on the big points — and there were many of them. —

John Pye, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026 Paramount sued but relented when Redford agreed to eye other projects, including an adaptation of Oakley Hall’s 1963 novel The Downhill Racers that director Roman Polanski was developing. —

Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026 Bondi’s letter was seen as another attempt at forcing Minnesota to relent. —

Mary Ellen Klas, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for relent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent

Verb

Her elder two sisters died at 10 and 11; her sister Anne at 29; her ne’er-do-well brother Branwell at 31; and Charlotte at the ripe age of 38—all succumbing to tuberculosis.

— Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
Inside, rather than succumbing to the pull of an open floor plan, Rai leaned into the home’s distinct zones and cozy nooks, which are evocative of another era.

— Linne Halpern, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026

Definition of succumb

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relegations

relent

relented

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“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of relent

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