relent

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 With the sun still high in the sky at six o’clock, the heat had barely relented. Seth Harp, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025 At last the lieutenant relented—sort of. D. T. Max, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025 Donal eventually relents, however, after his venue burns down in a convenient plot device. Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025 When utilities and grid operators push back, FERC generally relents. Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent
Verb
  • Everything has broken right for Egbuka since the moment he was drafted, with Chris Godwin having a setback from his 2024 injury, Jalen McMillan severely injuring his neck and then Mike Evans succumbing to his annual hamstring injury.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Some deer who succumb to the disease don't look sick, the state wildlife agency said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was some concern about Mayfield’s status for the Bucs’ Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but those worries were likely subsided after Mayfield was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The annexation question appeared to subside for a time afterwards.
    Paula Newton, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Only people with a true governmental or journalistic purpose would be able to request a lawmaker’s address, and journalists who want to do so would need to submit an application, a letter of authorization, and a declaration under penalty of perjury to an elections office.
    Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Both films are also in the running for the 2026 Best International Feature Film Oscar, with Panahi’s Cannes Palme d’Or-winning Iranian French Luxembourgish co-production submitted by France, and Trier’s family drama entered by Norway.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their patches of habitat and their water sources are diminishing; their feeding timeline has grown increasingly erratic, and more barricades are being built all the time, limiting their freedom of movement.
    Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
  • And another sign the perception is of a Panthers team diminished.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Still, even critics conceded his knack for packaging and marketing.
    Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Alaska's City of Fairbanks Mayor David Pruhs, a Republican, conceded to Mindy O'Neall, a Democrat, in the mayoral election on Tuesday night.
    Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sesame oil is high in antioxidants that may help decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, along with reducing joint pain related to arthritis.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Aside from a few brief side conversations, there wasn’t much to say after surrendering a season-high 379 passing yards to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
    Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Lacy was later charged with negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run with death and reckless operation of a vehicle and surrendered to police in mid-January.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Still, there are six holdouts that haven’t budged a penny, while four others lowered their price.
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Even for Premier League clubs, €75million is a lot of money, and even after some interminable negotiations with Galatasaray, Napoli weren’t budging on their price.
    Nick Miller, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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