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 Brian is refusing to relent though, leaving the couple at loggerheads. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 There has been some blowback from associates, a handful of partners, a smattering of corporate clients, the ABA, law school faculty, and the profession at large to the relenting firms. —Mark A. Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 Stocks rallied in the US as investors – hungry for any sign Trump is going to relent on the trade war – embraced the White House’s optimism. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 9 May 2025 Within hours, Petro had relented, and his humiliation provided an object lesson for other leaders. —Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 8 May 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
  • Sadly, Verstappen is not the only multiple-time world champion to succumb to such behavior.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 June 2025
  • At the former, Zosia quietly sits with Kiko, who has just succumbed to his gunshot wound.
    — Matt Cabral, EW.com, 1 June 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • So much oil got sucked out of the port and its neighborhoods that the ground started to subside, in some places yards deep.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • There was a slight uptick in turnovers in the postseason, but that must subside against the Thunder.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Applications will be reviewed in the order they are submitted.
    — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2025
  • Costco Wholesale recently submitted plans to the City of Sanford calling for a 156,454-square-foot membership warehouse store, 847 parking spaces, and a gas station to replace the former Macy’s building and a parking lot south of the mall, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.
    — Tyler Williams, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.
    — John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • Conte’s side conceded just 27 goals in 38 league games, the strongest defensive record in Serie A and 18 fewer than Inter.
    — James Horncastle, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Many economists argue that trade deficits do not matter, and even proponents concede that doing so can cause short-term pain.
    — Haisten Willis, The Washington Examiner, 30 May 2025
Definition of concede
Verb
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2025
  • These students, many already at an educational disadvantage, are left with instability, fewer learning opportunities and decreased academic performance.
    — Lakeisha Wells Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The stock surrendered 45% of its market capitalization to close the month at $1.56 a share, making for a company value of $338 million.
    — Brendan Coffey, Sportico.com, 2 June 2025
  • The measure has proven durable because its benefits were tangible, and voters seldom surrender benefits.
    — Philip Elliott, Time, 2 June 2025
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • Trump has touted harsher penalties if Putin doesn't budge on peace.
    — Shane Croucher John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 June 2025
  • Members of California's congressional delegation joined Gov. Gavin Newsom in appealing FEMA's decision but so far the agency hasn't budged on its decision not to conduct further testing.
    — Kirk Siegler, NPR, 2 June 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 10 Jun. 2025.

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