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

Most of those past efforts were on a much more limited scale than what the government has done in the past year, and they were largely abandoned after China relented and eased access to critical minerals. —Didi Tang, Fortune, 15 Jan. 2026

That expains in part why Ferrari was so reluctant to make one, finally relenting with the Purosangue, which was the most polarizing car of 2022 and is still upsetting people to this day. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026

The senator vowed not to relent unless the troops were withdrawn — a move the president ultimately announced last month. —Adam Beam, AJC.com, 13 Jan. 2026

Whether loans become an option later in the window, should the defensive-injury situation not relent and a suitable-and-attainable permanent target cannot be identified, is unclear. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 13 Jan. 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