relent

American  

[ri-lent] / rɪˈlɛnt /

verb (used without object)

1. to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving.

   Synonyms:

   yield, bend

2. to become less severe; slacken.

   The winds relented.

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verb (used with object)

1. Obsolete. to cause to soften in feeling, temper, or determination.

2. Obsolete. to cause to slacken; abate.

3. Obsolete. to abandon; relinquish.

relent British  

/ rɪˈlɛnt /

verb

1. to change one's mind about some decided course, esp a harsh one; become more mild or amenable

2. (of the pace or intensity of something) to slacken

3. (of the weather) to become more mild

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Other Word Forms

• nonrelenting adjective
• relentingly adverb
• unrelented adjective

Etymology

Origin of relent

1350–1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin *relentāre, equivalent to Latin re- re- + lentāre to bend, derivative of lentus flexible, viscous, slow

Example Sentences

“We will not relent until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated, but we do so on our timeline and at our choosing.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The boys were immediately on my side, begging for him to join us, and they eventually relented.

From Literature

Mother relented, allowing her daughters to spread the spirit circles into nearby smaller cities.

From Literature

Pakistan relented on their original decision to boycott the fixture in solidarity with Bangladesh, who had to forfeit their place in this T20 World Cup when refused dispensation to play their games outside of India.

From BBC

I’m tempted to camp out on her front porch until she relents.

From Literature

Related Words

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