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 of relent

• succumb
• concede
• submit
• surrender
• budge
• capitulate

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

When the chimps finally relented, Basie was escorted back home by an over 50-year-old male chimp named BF, who had appeared to be close with Basie over the years. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026

As the miles and the states racked up, Tera never relented. —Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2026

Now, OpenAI chief global affairs officer Chris Lehane is asking people to relent on messaging around AI. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2026

But in talks, the Iranians have not relented on their right to enrich uranium, to maintain conventional defensive capabilities and to police traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital waterways. —Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026

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