Synonyms of relents

relents

verb

present tense third-person singular of relent

1

as in succumbs

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

• succumbs
• concedes
• submits
• surrenders
• capitulates
• bows
• quits
• yields
• acquiesces
• blinks
• budges
• gives in
• defers
• throws in the towel
• knuckles under
• says uncle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resists
• contends
• confronts
• opposes
• meets
• fights
• faces
• counters
• defies
• breasts
• repels
• objects
• withstands
• combats
• holds off
• thwarts
• battles

2

as in subsides

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

• subsides
• decreases
• diminishes
• eases
• vanishes
• declines
• falls
• shrinks
• recedes
• wanes
• ebbs
• lessens
• dwindles
• abates
• lowers
• tapers
• weakens
• moderates
• palls
• evaporates
• dies (away or down or out)
• remits
• tapers off
• drops (off)
• falls away
• de-escalates
• drains (away)
• phases down
• compresses
• ratchets (down)
• collapses
• constricts
• lets up
• rachets (down)
• relaxes
• slackens
• condenses
• alleviates
• slows (down)
• tails (off)
• contracts
• melts (away)
• fades (away)
• gives out
• peters (out)
• deflates
• sinks
• fritters (away)
• flags
• caves (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grows
• rises
• increases
• expands
• builds
• intensifies
• escalates
• enlarges
• accumulates
• emerges
• swells
• soars
• appears
• mounts
• waxes
• mushrooms
• picks up
• burgeons
• shows up
• lengthens
• snowballs
• elongates
• balloons
• distends
• blows up

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of relents

This grade slips to a C+ if Arizona eventually relents and grants Pro-Bowl pass rusher Josh Sweat’s trade request. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

Donal eventually relents, however, after his venue burns down in a convenient plot device. —Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025

When utilities and grid operators push back, FERC generally relents. —Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 Sep. 2025

In the early evening in Seville, when the heat relents, Sevillanos take a paseo, or leisurely stroll. —Tia Welch Maerz, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Sep. 2025

One partner relents to the other’s wishes, without presenting their own needs and wants. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025