1
as in complying
Related Words
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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
-
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
-
That painful night in Dallas now feels merciful, compared with what this Avs team just experienced.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
27 May 2026
-
As the sun began to peek over the hillside, offering a merciful burst of warmth, Alonso Abugattas called this year’s Trillium Trek to order.—
Ashley Stimpson,
Washington Post,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
The Spurs got off just three field goal attempts while succumbing to the Knicks’ defensive pressure.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
4 June 2026
-
Avoid succumbing to a conspiracy theory or problematic spiritual philosophy as Mercury and Neptune square off.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Steiger's presentation also highlighted how the district has taken measures to reduce spending, like cutting off purchasing cards and decreasing non-school spending.—
Austin Horn
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
With decreasing revenue from the gas tax and increasing costs, Behrens said that over the next decade, the state will face a $216 billion shortfall.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
The unions want their pliant board majority in place through 2032.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
-
Fennel, cumin, coriander and black pepper perfume sistani, another round flatbread with barley mixed into the wheat flour for a nutty taste and pliant crumb.—
Bill Addison,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Adjective
-
The Bravoverse is a largely forgiving community.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Even so, if Cristian Romero can get healthy, the Argentina starting IX is world-class, and their group is more forgiving than most.—
Kellis Robinett,
Kansas City Star,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
And the data made for bleak reading given Liverpool’s slow starts and habit of conceding damaging late goals, which pointed to issues with both fitness and mentality.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
-
With more than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of Game 4, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson pulled his starters, effectively conceding the series as the Knicks turned the final minutes into a celebration.—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
If your garden is anything like mine, your poppies have petered out and your sages are subsiding.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Breezy winds return on Tuesday after subsiding somewhat on Monday.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relenting. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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