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
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
Belt wasn’t going to keep it on for the game, but relented to peer pressure.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Alfred initially refused to let the paramedics take the children, but eventually relented, according to the report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
When the chimps finally relented, Basie was escorted back home by an over 50-year-old male chimp named BF, who had appeared to be close with Basie over the years.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
As the miles and the states racked up, Tera never relented.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2026
But in talks, the Iranians have not relented on their right to enrich uranium, to maintain conventional defensive capabilities and to police traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital waterways.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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
Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
The Knicks, however, never relented.
—Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Belt wasn’t going to keep it on for the game, but relented to peer pressure.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2026
Alfred initially refused to let the paramedics take the children, but eventually relented, according to the report.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
When the chimps finally relented, Basie was escorted back home by an over 50-year-old male chimp named BF, who had appeared to be close with Basie over the years.
—Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2026
As the miles and the states racked up, Tera never relented.
—Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2026
But in talks, the Iranians have not relented on their right to enrich uranium, to maintain conventional defensive capabilities and to police traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital waterways.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relented
Verb
-
Both eventually succumbed to their injuries.—
Jesse Zanger,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
The latest, wild card Clément Tabur, put up resistance but ultimately succumbed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in the first round of the French Open Tuesday.—
Matthew Futterman,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the ceasefire has seen almost daily Israeli fire.—
Ahmad Mantash,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
The surgery in July 2022 went as planned, and in the early weeks of recovery, nothing appeared out of the ordinary as the swelling gradually subsided.—
Jordan Greene,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Konate made 42 appearances — 31 in the Premier League — helping his side keep the second strongest defensive record in the division behind Arsenal with 41 goals conceded.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
-
Aledo sophomore starting pitcher Tempe Perry conceded 13 hits, 11 earned runs and five walks.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Homicides have decreased by roughly 11% from this time in 2025, which ended with a 60-year low in the number of people killed; the city has also had 148 fewer people shot.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
This isn’t unique to Sacramento, with Smith noting that an American Alliance of Museums survey found that 55% of museums report decreased traffic.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
In the motion submitted May 1, Cassie argued that Howard's lawsuit should be transferred out of California courts and into a New York court, where dozens of similar Diddy claims were already filed.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
In order to secure the funds, the family members submitted fake financial instruments and money orders, continuing to do so even after the IRS sent them letters telling them to stop, according to the statement.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Attendance diminished in recent years as the Wizards tore down their roster in the hopes of accumulating draft picks in trades and losing enough games to win early picks via the annual draft lottery.—
Josh Robbins,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
-
The future-proof leader is the person disciplined enough to question their own assumptions, recognize when familiar frameworks no longer serve the moment, and understand that leadership is strengthened, not diminished, by remaining open to growth.—
Mary Hemphill,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Ureña surrendered one run on five hits in six innings for the Angels (22-36).—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Johnson’s second home run, his 14th of the season, came off UCLA star closer Easton Hawk, who had surrendered just three home runs this season.—
Mercury News staff,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
Piccotto effectively plays the regret of a mother forced to reckon with the loss of a child, the horror of engaging with that child again, while also grappling with her own role as a mother felled by the scourge of addiction.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
29 May 2026
-
In a Western Conference Final where a few other key Colorado Avalanche players are already playing through injuries, the NHL’s leading goal scorer this season was felled trying to prevent someone else from scoring.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
25 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relented.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relented. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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