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
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of relents
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
One partner relents to the other’s wishes, without presenting their own needs and wants.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025
Esther Zuckerman, IndieWire, 11 Sep. 2025
When utilities and grid operators push back, FERC generally relents.
—Brian Deese, Foreign Affairs, 9 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
-
If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
23 Sep. 2025
-
When Day succumbs to his wounds, Dusk seizes the vacuum, claiming Hari Seldon’s psychohistory crystal.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Hodak concedes that the biohybrid model poses perils.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Rodrik concedes that there is no tried and tested formula to achieve this.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nobody was questioning it when Salah produced arguably his best season for the club to spearhead Liverpool’s title charge, but when the output decreases and opponents see that flank as a weakness, perceptions change.—
The Athletic's Liverpool staff,
New York Times,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Towing capacity decreases 1,000 pounds to, 4,000 pounds.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Currently, federal law only guarantees a cow’s milk substitute—such as fortified soy milk—if a parent submits a physician’s note documenting a disability.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The city’s existing process has design work being completed either by city engineers or outside architects before a contractor is chosen — a decision based on which contractor submits the lowest bid.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Nov. 2025
-
When two parties are aware of a major issue that diminishes an asset and do not inform the third party of that asset, that’s strong grounds for a lawsuit.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At crucial moments, however, one force surrenders to the other to produce an ambiguous collaboration.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Dallas has given up the most passing yards in the league, and their secondary surrenders lots of open windows.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Knowing and acting on her mom’s wishes eases the burden of last-minute decision-making and prompts Dowd to take early planning into her own hands.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
5 Nov. 2025
-
The active noise cancellation eases low rumbles so commutes feel calmer.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Relents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relents. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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