relented

Definition of relentednext
past tense of relent
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

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 relented The legal maneuvering continued for months, right up until an hour before they were set to enter a courtroom, at which point James relented. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026 In Chile in 1983, the finance minister’s refusal to socialize private foreign debt drew a cut-off in vital trade credit — oil tankers en route to Santiago turned around — until, under duress, the government relented. Sven Van Mourik, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026 Carolyn didn’t want to go but relented after being encouraged by her sister and some newfound tenderness toward her husband. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Mar. 2026 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 Faced with pressure from Paxton, his conservative primary challenger, Cornyn on Thursday relented on the filibuster in an op-ed for the New York Post. W. James Antle Iii, The Washington Examiner, 13 Mar. 2026 In recent months, the president has hosted a series of White House meetings between the two sides in hopes of brokering a deal, but the banks haven’t relented, according to people with knowledge of the gatherings. Hugh Son, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026 The government finally relented, declaring that the remaining forest would be preserved. Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 The German officer relented and made no further efforts to identify the Jewish American soldiers. ABC News, 2 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relented
Verb
  • He was later transported to a local hospital but subsequently succumbed to his injuries, according to the police.
    Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • After filming, Eric Dane, who brilliantly portrayed tortured parent Cal Jacobs, succumbed to the effects of ALS in February of this year.
    Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In 2020, Bad Robot capitalized on another moment in time to strike a megabucks renewal deal with WBTV — but momentum has observably subsided within the once-utopian Bad Robot offices (complete with a private chef and movie stars working in residence).
    Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026
  • The early swell of activity has subsided into a more manageable drumbeat of visitors, according to the Wildlands Conservancy, which owns and manages the preserve.
    Gregory Thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The Jets have conceded 232 goals while scoring 222 for a -10 scoring differential.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
  • In an interview with NBC News, a former commander with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Iran’s powerful paramilitary group, conceded that many of the regime’s conditions were unlikely to be accepted by Washington but insisted Tehran was prepared to make concessions.
    Katherine Doyle, NBC news, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Adding in exercise was linked with a 46% decreased risk of death from any cause, according to the study.
    Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
  • The less experienced Tyler Kolek’s playing time decreased as well as the squad returned to full health.
    Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tips submitted anonymously to the hotline may be eligible for a reward of up to $25,000.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Once the formal and complete application is submitted, city officials will then go through the standard review process and decide whether to move forward with a formal hearing.
    Sooji Nam, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Atkins also was diminished during the latter part of the season by a calf strain, which sidelined her for several weeks.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
  • None of this has diminished the ambition of the budget’s spending side.
    Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Since when in 250 years has America surrendered democracy to one person, putting aside the law and the Constitution?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • Chase Dollander surrendered one run on four hits in 4 1/3 innings for Colorado after Jimmy Herget opened with a 1-2-3 first.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Jeff Shell, now felled from his presidency of Paramount, is living proof.
    Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Floorboards were milled from walnut trees felled at a construction site in North Carolina.
    Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 2 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Relented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relented. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

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