1
as in succumbed
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
2
as in subsided
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relented
The legal maneuvering continued for months, right up until an hour before they were set to enter a courtroom, at which point James relented.
—
Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
In Chile in 1983, the finance minister’s refusal to socialize private foreign debt drew a cut-off in vital trade credit — oil tankers en route to Santiago turned around — until, under duress, the government relented.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Carolyn didn’t want to go but relented after being encouraged by her sister and some newfound tenderness toward her husband.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department relented later that month amid mounting pressure, and Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche announced that the probe would be handled in part by the Civil Rights Division, whose criminal section specializes in probing color-of-law claims against law enforcement officers.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Faced with pressure from Paxton, his conservative primary challenger, Cornyn on Thursday relented on the filibuster in an op-ed for the New York Post.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
In recent months, the president has hosted a series of White House meetings between the two sides in hopes of brokering a deal, but the banks haven’t relented, according to people with knowledge of the gatherings.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The government finally relented, declaring that the remaining forest would be preserved.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The German officer relented and made no further efforts to identify the Jewish American soldiers.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
In Chile in 1983, the finance minister’s refusal to socialize private foreign debt drew a cut-off in vital trade credit — oil tankers en route to Santiago turned around — until, under duress, the government relented.
—Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Carolyn didn’t want to go but relented after being encouraged by her sister and some newfound tenderness toward her husband.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026
The Justice Department relented later that month amid mounting pressure, and Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche announced that the probe would be handled in part by the Civil Rights Division, whose criminal section specializes in probing color-of-law claims against law enforcement officers.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Faced with pressure from Paxton, his conservative primary challenger, Cornyn on Thursday relented on the filibuster in an op-ed for the New York Post.
—W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026
In recent months, the president has hosted a series of White House meetings between the two sides in hopes of brokering a deal, but the banks haven’t relented, according to people with knowledge of the gatherings.
—Hugh Son, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The government finally relented, declaring that the remaining forest would be preserved.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
The German officer relented and made no further efforts to identify the Jewish American soldiers.
—ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relented
Verb
-
Long shot Wayne’s Law led early, only to be overtaken in the final turn by 6-5 favorite Nearly, who was passed in mid-stretch by The Puma, who narrowly succumbed to Commandment at the wire.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Luis Daniel Gutierrez Mora, 31, succumbed to his injuries at a hospital on Tuesday, CMPD said in a March 25 news release.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Government officials say new detentions have subsided since then, as the number of ICE officers in Minnesota has receded from a high of around 3,000 to close to their previous levels of over 100.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Golden Knights have conceded 223 goals while scoring 227 for a +4 scoring differential.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Current’s six conceded six goals — after 13 allowed through all of last season — is another stat to watch.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the past forty years, men’s wages have decreased as a percentage of over-all family income, while broader wealth inequalities and job insecurity have grown.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In two of six Minneapolis areas, overall crime decreased 43% and 56% respectively, while, in all other areas, overall crime rose.—
Eric Adler
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the event of a dispute, entries will be deemed submitted by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
All prize claims must be submitted within 180 days of the drawing date for draw games.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
-
But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Boston College pledge, junior Maddie Richey surrendered just 1 hit over 4 innings while striking out 8 for Country Day (4-2 overall, 1-0 confernece).—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Mar. 2026
-
The next inning, after Sheehan surrendered a solo homer to Ketel Marte, Freeland showed off his bat.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.—
Tim Stelloh,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
-
And to be sure, there were winds and rain strong enough to fell several trees, flood a few roads, and knock out power in some Maryland and Virginia suburbs.—
Scott Simon,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relented. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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