letup

1 of 2

noun

let·​up ˈlet-ˌəp 

: a lessening of effort, activity, or intensity

let up

2 of 2

verb

let up; letting up; lets up

intransitive verb

1

a

: to diminish or slow down : slacken

b

: cease, stop

2

: to become less severe

—used with on

Synonyms

Noun

• braking
• deceleration
• downshift
• retardation
• slowdown

Verb

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• dead-end
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• end
• expire
• finish
• go
• halt
• lapse
• leave off
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

Examples of letup in a Sentence

Noun

the downpour continued for hours without letup

Verb

the rain let up just as we reached the house

the windmill slowed down as the wind let up

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the months passed with little letup in the bombardment, the Gaza death toll grew exponentially. —Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2024

There was no letup from the sweltering heat wave frazzling much of the eastern United States on Friday, with some 90 million Americans under heat alerts nationwide. —Alexander Smith, NBC News, 21 June 2024

Verb

At that point, Juve looked completely overwhelmed, their defence struggling to cope with a Nerazzurri onslaught that showed no signs of letting up as Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella and Lautaro Martinez all had chances to add to their side’s lead. —Adam Digby, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Where to watch Episode 5 'Dedication Night' Ice Cube in Phoenix: How to go old-school at Footprint Center concert Charli XCX concert review: Sweat Tour with Troye Sivan gets steamy in Phoenix 'Rumours' doesn't let up on the absurdity There is no staff. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1836, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1787, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

letup

1 of 2 noun

let·​up ˈlet-ˌəp 

: a lessening of effort or force

let up

2 of 2 verb

1

: to slow down : slacken

2

: to come to a stop : cease

the rain let up

3

: to ease off : be less severe

—used with on