relent

verb

re·​lent ri-ˈlent 

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

: let up, slacken

transitive verb

obsolete : soften, mollify

Synonyms

• blink
• bow
• budge
• capitulate
• concede
• give in
• knuckle under
• quit
• submit
• succumb
• surrender
• yield

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

Yellen was hard to convince until a phone call from Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, her old colleague from his tenure as head of the European Central Bank, persuaded her to relent. —Edward Fishman, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2025

The city of Detroit urged officials to end investigations into Detroit’s planning director regarding two projects, according to records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, but the Board of Ethics has not relented. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 21 Feb. 2025

Hanks pulled back as if to refuse to shake hands and then relented. —Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Feb. 2025

Eventually, Vrabel relented — and vented — to Pioli. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for relent

• accent
• advent
• ascent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event

Kids Definition

relent

verb

re·​lent ri-ˈlent 

1

: to become less severe, harsh, or strict

2

: slacken sense 1