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 According to Bartlett, the doctor relented and added the treatment, because the parents wanted it. Brandy Zadrozny, NBC news, 4 June 2025 Page hit Ospreay with several moves in his bag to try to put Ospreay away, but the English wrestler would not relent. Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2025 Florida led 2-0 at the end of the first period and never relented. Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 June 2025 Battles continued along the roughly 620-mile front line, where tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed, and neither country has relented in its deep strikes. Illia Novikov, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for relent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent
Verb
  • In a moment that is almost cliché, the lawyer is the first to succumb to the terror of the T-Rex.
    Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Some leaders recently have succumbed to such efforts and paid the piper, while others have resisted.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.
    Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • After nearly three years of discussion and refinement, plans have been submitted to the city of San Diego for a pair of monument signs to mark La Jolla’s Bird Rock area.
    Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
  • The brewery opted not to submit any beers to the State Fair’s competition, according to the log of entries.
    Jack Rodriquez-Vars July 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 July 2025
  • Eggs may not be quite so extreme, since the bird flu problem is expected to diminish.
    Jan Ellen Spiegel, Hartford Courant, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • In their five World Cup matches, the Netherlands conceded only two goals with Spitse on the pitch.
    Cerys Jones, New York Times, 5 July 2025
  • To get to a supermajority on partial overrides, the four members conceded on some of Gloria’s vetoes, such as elimination of $250,000 for a homeless outreach team.
    Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 July 2025
  • Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Octavia Graham, 52, surrendered herself to authorities June 30 following a warrant for her arrest.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025
  • In Zero Day, De Niro’s George Mullen is an old-school politician who, acting on sensibilities developed during a much different time in American history, expects the American people to willingly surrender some of their civil liberties while his commission investigates the nationwide cyberattack.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Older generations who bought homes decades ago—and who would typically be ready to downsize by now—aren’t budging out of fear of relatively high mortgage rates.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 July 2025
  • The gender wage gap has barely budged over the past 20 years.
    Harvard Business Review, Harvard Business Review, 10 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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