1
as in complying
Related Words
Relevance
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
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
The issue is that Newcastle’s fixture list remains ludicrously congested and is just not relenting.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That expains in part why Ferrari was so reluctant to make one, finally relenting with the Purosangue, which was the most polarizing car of 2022 and is still upsetting people to this day.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
But seconds later, the relenting turns into an all-out shredding of yet another masterful tune.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
The prime minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the family, asked about the well-being of Roy and Alon, Itay’s brothers, and vowed to continue the fight without relenting until the last hostage is returned.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Neither side has shown signs of relenting.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
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
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
The issue is that Newcastle’s fixture list remains ludicrously congested and is just not relenting.
—Mark Carey, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
That expains in part why Ferrari was so reluctant to make one, finally relenting with the Purosangue, which was the most polarizing car of 2022 and is still upsetting people to this day.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2026
But seconds later, the relenting turns into an all-out shredding of yet another masterful tune.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
The prime minister offered his heartfelt condolences to the family, asked about the well-being of Roy and Alon, Itay’s brothers, and vowed to continue the fight without relenting until the last hostage is returned.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 4 Nov. 2025
Advertisement Neither side has shown signs of relenting.
—Nik Popli, Time, 30 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relenting
Adjective
-
Despite his impassive eyes, balding pate, and slit of a smile, Robert Duvall could be volcanic and melancholic, mysterious and straightforward, vengeful and merciful.—
Peter Tonguette,
The Washington Examiner,
27 Feb. 2026
-
In a way, this can seem merciful.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Yet Guardiola has not made his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in history by succumbing to end-of-season pressure.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Hind's cousin was later killed in another close-range attack, while Hind died several hours later after succumbing to wounds while waiting for help.—
Alexander Durie,
Time,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Extortion is also a crime that worries authorities, although cases appear to be decreasing.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But an album rollout is costly and seeing an ever-decreasing return on investment.—
Michaelangelo Matos,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lower real interest rates historically reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like silver, while also supporting the industrial activity that drives silver demand in electronics, electric vehicles and green technology.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The warrior is both strong and yielding, capable of decisive action and deliberate restraint.—
Richard P. Weigand,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Use boneless skinless chicken thighs in place of breasts for a richer flavor and more forgiving texture.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The Nuggets were not in a very forgiving mood on Wednesday.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Manager Herve Renard led them to an incredible victory over favourites Ivory Coast in the final, despite their opponents not conceding a goal during the entire tournament (Zambia won the trophy on penalties after a 0-0 draw).—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
And if this week has been any indication, the players may be closer to conceding ground than owners.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
By Wednesday, the disruptions seemed to be subsiding, with nearly 200 grounded, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
But whether that would make Tehran more pliant, let alone spur regime change, is questionable.—
Ramin Mostaghim,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Expect someone more pliant to become the next Fed chair.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relenting. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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