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
Finally her mom relented, enlisting Ann Williams, a colleague at Bishop College who would later create Dallas Black Dance Theatre, to train her 5-year-old girl.
—
Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
State leaders at the time wanted to close the campus, but relented.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
But after her children’s teachers agreed, the school relented.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Last fall, during a 43-day shutdown over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, Democrats ultimately relented after public frustration mounted and airport travel snarled ahead of Thanksgiving.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
After the academy relented, the rest was history.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
The White House eventually relented and removed the video, but not before 12 hours had passed, and the damage was done.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Facing a potential House vote for criminal contempt, the Clintons relented and agreed to testify in late February.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
After causing some chaos and discomfort, the Rockets finally relented and sent him to Brooklyn.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026
State leaders at the time wanted to close the campus, but relented.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 Feb. 2026
But after her children’s teachers agreed, the school relented.
—Tyler Kingkade, NBC news, 16 Feb. 2026
Last fall, during a 43-day shutdown over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies, Democrats ultimately relented after public frustration mounted and airport travel snarled ahead of Thanksgiving.
—Nik Popli, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
After the academy relented, the rest was history.
—Leila Cobo, Billboard, 10 Feb. 2026
The White House eventually relented and removed the video, but not before 12 hours had passed, and the damage was done.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Facing a potential House vote for criminal contempt, the Clintons relented and agreed to testify in late February.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026
After causing some chaos and discomfort, the Rockets finally relented and sent him to Brooklyn.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relented
Verb
-
Rhonda Dorgan died at the arena, and Aidan Dorgan succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the hospital, Goncalves said.—
Antonia Noori Farzan,
The Providence Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Rhonda Dorgan was pronounced dead at the scene and her son Aidan succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital, Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said at a press conference Tuesday.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
For now, however, the discontent from TikTok’s American users that marred its first few weeks under new ownership seems to have largely subsided.—
Matthew Chin,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Canter conceded that so much trauma over such a short life has taken its emotional toll.—
Eddie Pells,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Homan has conceded that the operation in Minnesota needed reform.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Our infrastructure has failed to meet the demands of rapid expansion, as evidenced by the 12-year neglect of Eastland, which resulted in job losses and decreased tax revenue.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
14 Feb. 2026
-
With regard to housing, incentives can be made available, lot sizes decreased, and alternative approaches are plentiful.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The report was also submitted with the National Capital Planning Commission ahead of its March meeting.—
Benjamin Siegel,
ABC News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
According to Texas Values, the parent submitted their complaint through an online SB 8 tip portal that the attorney general launched in December.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Wollenzien also points to the growing anxiety among professional artists about job security, as more than two-thirds of workers in creative industries believe that AI has diminished their employability in workplaces.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
-
That diminished view of the Democratic Party in the AP-NORC polling is consistent regardless of Democrats’ age, race, ideology or educational background — suggesting that appealing to a specific group or two won’t fix the problem.—
Linley Sanders,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Here's what happens to the items that are surrendered at TSA.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The slain cop’s 34-year-old estranged husband, surrendered to police and was later charged with murder, manslaughter and criminal possession of a weapon.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Cortina Mayor Gianluca Lorenzi received death threats after centuries-old trees were felled to make way for a $131 million bobsledding track.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Afterward, Agnes and I were felled by the kind of hunger that overtakes only those who have exerted themselves in cold weather.—
Boris Fishman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relented. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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