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
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
Then again, anyone can yell at you remotely without relenting.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 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
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
Then again, anyone can yell at you remotely without relenting.
—Richard Siken
august 26, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relenting
Adjective
-
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Although Ake wants to be merciful, Anisha aided a crime that resulted in the death of a Federation officer.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And then Malinin, 21, imploded in a shocking collapse, succumbing to the enormous pressure of his first Winter Games and finishing an incomprehensible eighth.—
Bora Erden,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Her elder two sisters died at 10 and 11; her sister Anne at 29; her ne’er-do-well brother Branwell at 31; and Charlotte at the ripe age of 38—all succumbing to tuberculosis.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The biggest shift in the financial model of newspapers that has occurred in the transition from print to digital is a decreasing reliance on advertising and an increasing reliance on direct payments from subscribers.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The formulation hits all the targets my tired eyes crave—brightening dark circles, decreasing puffiness, and reducing the look of fine lines.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 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
-
In addition, Tucker claims MSU adopted a much lighter and more forgiving touch with two white coaches, football coach Mark Dantonio and basketball coach Tom Izzo, when they and their programs were accused of wrongdoing.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 Feb. 2026
-
This recipe is also highly forgiving; feel free to add your favorite veggies for extra color.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In Kuwait, Marseille turned in an impressive performance and were leading PSG 2-1, before conceding a 95th-minute equaliser.—
Tom Burrows,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Trump won reelection in 2024 without ever conceding his defeat in 2020.—
Michael Scherer,
The Atlantic,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Expect someone more pliant to become the next Fed chair.—
Erik Sherman,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
In recent months, Zelensky has seen the need to maintain the process of peace – to usher the current set of draft documents along, showing Ukraine is pliant, willing, and keen to find results for Witkoff.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Relenting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relenting. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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