1
as in succumbed
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 subsided
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 relented
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
After the Los Angeles Film Critics Association anointed Brazil with a trio of awards, including Best Picture, Sheinberg relented and released a 132-minute cut supervised by Gilliam.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
After a public backlash, Microsoft later relented and vowed no such legal action would occur.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
Larson, a semi-retired marketing professional, put on her volunteer hat and got to talking to City Hall, which soon relented.
—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 May 2026
The Knicks, however, never relented.
—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
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
After the Los Angeles Film Critics Association anointed Brazil with a trio of awards, including Best Picture, Sheinberg relented and released a 132-minute cut supervised by Gilliam.
—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
After a public backlash, Microsoft later relented and vowed no such legal action would occur.
—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
9 June 2026
Larson, a semi-retired marketing professional, put on her volunteer hat and got to talking to City Hall, which soon relented.
—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
27 May 2026
The Knicks, however, never relented.
—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relented
Verb
-
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.
-
Ryan was pronounced dead at the scene, while Andrew succumbed to his injuries six days later.
Verb
-
Early on, Jonah couldn't be indoors during rumbling Florida thunderstorms because the noise reminded Jonah of the collapse, so father and son would take long drives until the storm subsided.
-
Spoofing has subsided noticeably in recent days.
Verb
-
While scoring goals left and right, the Dutch have also conceded a goal in every game, four in all.
-
Baltimore will be getting its first female sheriff after incumbent Sam Cogen conceded to Sabrina Tapp-Harper in Maryland's primary election.
Verb
-
Nearly everyone who has died is believed to be 65 years old or older, because of their more limited ability to cool themselves down due to poor blood flow and decreased ability to sweat.
-
According to the Office of the State's Attorney for Harford County, Gaeta drove 371 feet during those 5 seconds and only decreased speed from 53mph to 47mph.
Verb
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To overcome that hurdle, authorities said, Finkelstein submitted phony diagnoses of conditions, such as hypertension, that the athletes did not have.
-
The Charlotte Observer submitted a public records request in May for mold exposure reports and is still waiting to receive responsive records.
Verb
-
Trump’s critics, especially in Israel, worry that the agreement effectively allows Iran to repair a proxy force diminished by months of Israeli pummeling.
-
Alannah’s presence on Season 8 of Love Island USA was heavily diminished following her first appearance.
Verb
-
Called up from Triple-A Syracuse to start Friday’s game, Thornton surrendered three consecutive hits before recording an out.
-
The Royals surrendered runs in abundance against the upstart White Sox lineup.
Verb
-
The most dangerous situation appeared to be on Barrington Avenue, west of East Dundee Village Hall, where a light, a utility pole and part of a parkway tree were felled by strong winds, leaving power lines dangling across the road.
-
John Adams famously wrote to his wife, Abigail, that smallpox was killing 10 soldiers for every one felled in battle.
Cite this Entry
“Relented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relented. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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