1
as in complying
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in merciful
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in succumbing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreasing
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 relenting
Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Ayatollah Khomeini initially banned the game, relenting shortly before his death, and today Iran has a few grandmasters playing the game their country brought to the world.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
But Iranian officials showed no sign of relenting, warning the country could strike electricity targets across the Persian Gulf and even hit plants that supply the region with drinking water.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
On March 18, temperatures in Phoenix reached 102 degrees, the city’s earliest 100-degree day on record — and the heat shows no signs of relenting.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Iran shows no signs of relenting.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Both initially refused to comply with a subpoena before relenting under threat of a House vote to hold them in contempt.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The settlement, which must still be approved by a bankruptcy court, comes after the diocese had fought a state a grand jury investigation for years before relenting last year.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Foster loved the book and had even tried to option it, but Demme didn’t see her as a fit, only relenting amid studio pressure.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Gaviota’s non-relenting expansion amid a severe economic crisis significantly contributed to the country’s current humanitarian emergency.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
But Tehran offered no sign of relenting on its enrichment program, and by Wednesday afternoon, had warned that tanker traffic would halt through the strait until Israel paused its attacks in Lebanon.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
Ayatollah Khomeini initially banned the game, relenting shortly before his death, and today Iran has a few grandmasters playing the game their country brought to the world.
—Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2026
But Iranian officials showed no sign of relenting, warning the country could strike electricity targets across the Persian Gulf and even hit plants that supply the region with drinking water.
—Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
On March 18, temperatures in Phoenix reached 102 degrees, the city’s earliest 100-degree day on record — and the heat shows no signs of relenting.
—Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Iran shows no signs of relenting.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
Both initially refused to comply with a subpoena before relenting under threat of a House vote to hold them in contempt.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2026
The settlement, which must still be approved by a bankruptcy court, comes after the diocese had fought a state a grand jury investigation for years before relenting last year.
—ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
Foster loved the book and had even tried to option it, but Demme didn’t see her as a fit, only relenting amid studio pressure.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relenting
Adjective
-
The outcome, a 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings, was at least something fun for the fans to enjoy at the merciful conclusion of a memorably miserable year.—
Thomas Drance,
New York Times,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Ever since Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, the only reprieve from this slog of a campaign has been the promise of a swift, merciful end.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Parker was also fighting tuberculosis at the time, succumbing to the disease just a few months after the battle.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Shepard uses her last ounce of strength to kill the final hitman before succumbing to her injuries.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are three Elvi (Tyler Hanes, Colton Sims and Charles Adler Bischoff at the Marriott, in decreasing order of age).—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gold rose on Tuesday, but remained on track for its steepest monthly decline since October 2008, as persistent inflation worries and expectations of higher interest rates due to the impact of the Iran war weighed on the non-yielding metal.—
Ashitha Shivaprasad,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
The prospect of higher interest rates as a result of the war could boost government bonds among investors, at the expense of non-yielding precious metals, market strategists told CNBC recently.—
Joseph Wilkins,Hugh Leask,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But while gardening is a relatively forgiving process that can be adjusted over time, there are certain spring gardening do’s and don’ts that may dramatically alter the health of your plants and your garden for the entire growing season.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Apr. 2026
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Cherry tomatoes are more forgiving than larger varieties and tend to produce reliably.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
That ended a 593-minute run by LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris without conceding to begin an MLS season, the fourth longest in league history.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Green rarely strayed more than a few feet from the Clippers superstar, fighting through screens rather than conceding a switch.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The resumption of relations comes just months after Washington ousted Venezuela’s former president and replaced him with a more pliant leader, and could unlock billions of dollars in financing for Caracas, analysts said.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
17 Apr. 2026
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Some satirists have begun targeting these pliant broadcasters as well.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relenting. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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