Synonyms of relent

relent

verb

ri-ˈlent 

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

• succumb
• concede
• submit
• surrender
• budge
• capitulate
• bow
• yield
• quit
• blink
• acquiesce
• give in
• knuckle under
• say uncle
• throw in the towel
• defer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

• subside
• diminish
• decrease
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• decline
• ease
• recede
• wane
• lessen
• die (away or down or out)
• abate
• weaken
• moderate
• dwindle
• taper
• ebb
• drop (off)
• fall away
• taper off
• drain (away)
• evaporate
• pall
• remit
• phase down
• let up
• lower
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• de-escalate
• constrict
• slacken
• compress
• alleviate
• condense
• tail (off)
• collapse
• slow (down)
• contract
• relax
• fade (away)
• melt (away)
• give out
• peter (out)
• fritter (away)
• sink
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• intensify
• grow
• build
• rise
• expand
• escalate
• accumulate
• appear
• mount
• enlarge
• swell
• emerge
• soar
• pick up
• wax
• show up
• burgeon
• snowball
• lengthen
• balloon
• mushroom
• elongate
• blow up
• distend

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

Recent Examples of relent

The Justice Department relented later that month amid mounting pressure, and Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche announced that the probe would be handled in part by the Civil Rights Division, whose criminal section specializes in probing color-of-law claims against law enforcement officers. —Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Ayatollah Khomeini initially banned the game, relenting shortly before his death, and today Iran has a few grandmasters playing the game their country brought to the world. —Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026

But Iranian officials showed no sign of relenting, warning the country could strike electricity targets across the Persian Gulf and even hit plants that supply the region with drinking water. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026

On March 18, temperatures in Phoenix reached 102 degrees, the city’s earliest 100-degree day on record — and the heat shows no signs of relenting. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026