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.

They started to relent in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a global energy crunch.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

I relent that I’m both a lapsed fashion student and someone who spent their adolescence and early teens marveling at Jacobs’ designs and Coppola’s films.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Advocates say they plan to continue pressing the U.S. government, even though many lack optimism that Washington will ever relent.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 7, 2026

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 sounds of pursuit from behind didn’t relent or fade, but he wasn’t losing ground, either.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner

Vocabulary lists containing relent

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