relent

[ri-lent] / rɪˈlɛnt /

VERB

die down; let up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce capitulate cave in come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside

STRONG

drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield

WEAK

be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with go easy on have mercy have pity lay back let it happen lighten up mellow out say uncle show mercy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

grow increase worry

STRONG

advance ascend continue free rise

WEAK

build

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sure, I can relent that “Project Hail Mary” is less urgent than this year’s best picture winner, “One Battle After Another,” and not as hyper-specifically relevant to our times as “Eddington.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Eventually, despite their fears over how their daughter would be judged by Iraqi society, Hadi convinced Nayef’s parents to relent and let her participate.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2025

“But I’m finishing a paper,” a straight-A teen might say, in which case they would relent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Spare a thought then for Switzerland, which has been hit with punitive tariffs of 39%, and has so far been unable to persuade the US president to relent.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2025

The gloom of the forest didn’t relent, though, for there were six primordial cedars that shaded an entire acre with their vast sweep of branches.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

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