relent

re·lent

verb \ri-ˈlent\

Definition of RELENT

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

Examples of RELENT

1. Our application was initially refused, but the city relented in the end and the permit was issued.
2. They had refused to pay and relented only after being threatened with a lawsuit.
3. The winds would not relent.

Origin of RELENT

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: 1526

Related to RELENT

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

resist

Related Words

acquiesce; defer

Near Antonyms

contend, fight, hold off; battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel; thwart, withstand

See Synonym Discussion at yield

Rhymes with RELENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent