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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relent
With more depth on the pitching staff this season, coach Yvette Tovar finally relented.
—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Houston has relented, however, following the council’s ouster of Commissioner Omar Farmer, an outspoken police critic, and a cooling-off of tensions between Houston and Commissioner Ricardo Garcia-Acosta, the current chair of the watchdog body.
—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The president relented, and the surrounding grass was covered, but not the roses.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Tillis relented only after the DOJ closed the criminal probe and referred the matter to the Fed’s inspector general.
—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for relent
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Houston has relented, however, following the council’s ouster of Commissioner Omar Farmer, an outspoken police critic, and a cooling-off of tensions between Houston and Commissioner Ricardo Garcia-Acosta, the current chair of the watchdog body.
—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
24 June 2026
The president relented, and the surrounding grass was covered, but not the roses.
—
ABC News,
18 June 2026
Tillis relented only after the DOJ closed the criminal probe and referred the matter to the Fed’s inspector general.
—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for relent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent
Verb
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Sydney briefly, and understandably, succumbed to the impulse to lash out, something that Carmy has done on more than one occasion while acting as head chef.
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Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene, while Andrew succumbed to his injuries six days later.
Verb
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Without tick bites, red meat, or dairy to incite it, the immune response will subside eventually.
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A little light headedness was the only immediate side effect for a first-timer, but that quickly subsided.
Verb
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El Tri is averaging two goals a game and has yet to concede one.
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Mexico remains unbeaten in this year’s tournament and has won four out of four games without conceding a goal.
Verb
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Historically, after that period, the chances of survival without a water source diminish rapidly.
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Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.
Verb
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At that point, Mills said, Kamlager-Dove’s office submitted inquiries to the Postal Service asking about the reason for the closure and what is being done to alleviate the burden on customers.
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To qualify, a patient's provider must submit a prior authorization request showing that the patient is being prescribed a GLP-1 for weight loss.
Verb
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Plus, new windows are more energy efficient than old ones, meaning a summer installation can decrease your energy bill now and when temperatures drop in the fall and winter.
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Doubles players fear for their tennis future after being told by the ATP Tour that prize money and tournament sizes will decrease significantly starting in 2028.
Verb
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In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.
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More than 700 dogs remain unaccounted for Investigators have reviewed records showing that 918 dogs had been surrendered and transferred to Miranda’s Rescue from January 2025 to April 2026, Honsal said.
Verb
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Historically, high-octane gas has cost about 20 cents a gallon more than regular – barely budging for decades.
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White unemployment did not budge in the first half of this year relative to last.
Cite this Entry
“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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