relents

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relents Instead of using moving rooms and telescopic furniture to squeeze in a full-length longitudinal bed, however, Bürstner relents to the transverse layout far more common in camper vans of this size. New Atlas, 11 Aug. 2026 Speaker Mike Johnson is working to accommodate Republican lawmakers who are angry that the Senate won’t pass the SAVE America Act and are insisting that it be included in must-pass bills until the Senate relents. Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 22 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relents
Verb
  • Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust.
    Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Vhagar dies in the crash and Caraxes succumbs to his injuries a few days after crawling out and into the bowls of Harrenhal.
    James Grebey, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Still, the entire curve has shifted lower as volatility generally subsides.
    Oliver Renick, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When the storm subsides, the Pogues use Kiara’s coordinates and Pope’s calculations to return to the water and search for the gold.
    Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The stores here had their strengths, Bron concedes — digital retailing and planning capabilities, for instance.
    Hilary Milnes, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Murdy concedes, of course, Halloween Horror Nights can only glance at some of the film’s deeper meaning.
    Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Cooking decreases some of the sugars in corn, such as glucose, fructose, and maltose.
    Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • When a student submits a paper written by a chatbot instead of their own work, should this be considered plagiarism?
    Roger J. Kreuz, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Firewise is a national program where each community of eight to 200 homes works together to create defensible space and clear brush, agrees to continue the work annually and submits an application to Firewise USA.
    Chuck Page, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • If those are important to you, that diminishes the credit's value.
    Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • After five books that try to interpret Elizabeth Taylor, Waters simply surrenders to the vision.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the Harford County Humane Society tells CBS News Baltimore there have been 140 owner surrenders through the county's animal control this summer, which is double last summer's total.
    Tara Lynch, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The schedule eases up the rest of the way, but the disappointment from Badgers faithful was a stark reminder of just how hot the head coach’s seat is this season.
    The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • What’s Happening Videos of people pouring Epsom salt onto baking sheets, towels or shower floors and stomping barefoot for roughly 10 minutes have racked up views across TikTok, with users claiming the practice eases anxiety and improves sleep.
    Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Relents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relents. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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