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
  • Test cricket’s older generation is succumbing to Father Time.
    — Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • In the coldest regions of its hardiness zone, plants can succumb to winter dieback during unusually harsh winters but generally recover well with new growth.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • Luckily, the experience trumped inhaling the intense stench, which eventually subsided.
    — Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 16 May 2025
  • This new poll, and others, suggest voters' concerns over the economy may be subsiding.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • The council, which met for the first time on May 20, is expected to submit a report of its findings in November.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 26 May 2025
  • To submit any news, please email [email protected].
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • But missing those goals doesn’t diminish the importance of potentially revising the target, for which the Paris Agreement includes a review mechanism, Stokes said.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 21 May 2025
  • Give credit without diminishing your own contributions.
    — Marvin Krislov, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of concede
Verb
  • Nord decreased our upload speeds by 38.37% and our latency by 29.26%.
    — PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 20 May 2025
  • Although the unsheltered population in the city of L.A. decreased last year from 32,680 to 29,275, and is projected to decline again this year, residents and business owners continue to express frustration with the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.
    — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • Calvin Faucher surrendered six runs without securing a single out and Lake Bachar gave up three more as the Cubs posted eight runs on eight hits in the decisive sixth inning of a 14-1 Marlins’ loss at loanDepot park.
    — Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
  • After the battle, the South surrendered Fort Gaines, which still stands on Dauphin Island.
    — D. Hunter Reardon, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • The bill went through intense debate in two committees last week as an alliance of blue-state Republicans and fiscal hawks refused to budge.
    — Caroline Linton, CBS News, 25 May 2025
  • But conservative hard-liners on the other side of the GOP have been less willing to budge.
    — Nik Popli, Time, 21 May 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 3 Jun. 2025.

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