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to relent

to relent

33 5.8
To stop resisting and allow something to happen, like a person giving in or a storm easing
  • verb
  • /rɪˈlɛnt/
: ceder
  • After weeks of negotiation, she finally decided to relent and accept the terms of the agreement.
  • finally relented
  • eventually relented
  • relented and allowed

They just storm through and demand what they want, and most people relent just to shut them up.

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Examples

  • You must not relent, my lord.

  • They just storm through and demand what they want, and most people relent just to shut them up.

  • And we will not relent and we will not let up.

  • Yeah, she said was gonna... she said she was gonna relent at some point.

  • But we must never relent.

  • But Pharaoh would not relent.

  • Her mother, initially against the idea, finally relents and allows her to take one item, the silver belt.

    Academic text (2004)
  • Finally, Caesar relented, stating that they would all join him.

  • So widely did the news spread that the government relented and reopened access after four days.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The authorities eventually relented and granted Patterson a five-day entry permit, which allowed him time enough.

    Academic text (1997)

Synonyms

to accept
vsto relent
870 3.5

To tolerate an unpleasant situation without complaining

is more passive, not necessarily showing prior refusal or resistance
to let it go
vsto relent
280 3.5

To choose not to react to something annoying

involves stopping resistance after refusing, not simply avoiding reaction
to give in
vsto relent
187 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

happens because of external pressure or persistent influence
to back down
vsto relent
146 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

often marks public retreat from a stance rather than private softening
to submit
vsto relent
109 4.1

To accept another person's control, often against your wishes

tends to stress yielding to power rather than simply ending opposition
to cave
vsto relent
  • Informal
85 6.7

To give in to pressure or demands

is more neutral and formal when referring to stopping resistance
to bow
vsto relent
78 6.3

To give in to another person's wishes or demands

is often about respectful or formal yielding instead of simple quitting resistance
to yield
vsto relent
74 4.3

To stop resisting under pressure or force

implies stopping resistance specifically because of influence or demands
to succumb to
vsto relent
73 5.8

Fail to resist a strong feeling or pressure and give in

often highlights failing under a specific negative force rather than mild change
to succumb
vsto relent
59 7.0

To accept something you tried to refuse

is used for yielding under pressure rather than by choice
to cave in
vsto relent
  • Informal
28 4.8

Give in to pressure or strong requests after resisting

describes ceasing resistance but not necessarily collapsing suddenly
to capitulate
vsto relent
22 8.4

To stop fighting back and accept defeat or demands

often suggests full surrender, not just a small concession
to concede
vsto relent
21 5.5

To give something to another person or group against your will

involves stopping resistance rather than only giving up a point
to acquiesce
vsto relent
  • Formal
20 8.4

To accept something you do not want without complaining

implies silent acceptance rather than a visible end to resistance
to soften
vsto relent
17 3.3

Become more willing to change your mind

is a quicker stopping of resistance often after direct refusal
to cave to
vsto relent
  • Informal
17 7.6

To give in to pressure or demands from others

focuses on yielding because of direct pressure rather than general change
13 7.1

To do what someone else wants even if you do not want to

focuses on yielding to external desires rather than general pressure
to accede
vsto relent
  • Formal
11 8.2

To agree to a request or demand after hesitation

is more about accepting proposals than purely stopping resistance
to give ground
vsto relent
6 4.9

To accept less than you want in a discussion to reach an agreement

is narrower, meaning partial concession rather than full stopping of resistance
to buckle under
vsto relent
4 6.7

To give in to pressure even though you do not want to

is used for yielding caused by external strain rather than choice
to buckle to
vsto relent
3 8.4

To give in to pressure or criticism

implies yielding specifically to pressure not changing willingly
to say uncle
vsto relent
  • Informal
2 8.9

To give up because of pressure or pain

is a colloquial, dramatic admission of defeat rather than gradual yielding
to yield up
vsto relent
2 7.4

Give something to another person because you are forced to do so

is about stopping resistance more generally, not only handing things over
to resile
vsto relent
  • Formal
1 9.9

To withdraw from a promise or agreement, often officially under pressure

is a formal term for stopping resistance often in official contexts
to backstep
vsto relent
1 7.1

Take back a promise or support you gave

is similar but can imply gradual easing rather than abrupt withdrawal

Antonyms

350 2.2

Act against authority, rules or change

13 9.2

To be hard to explain or understand

How Yielding

to capitulate
22 8.4
to surrender
452 4.4
to yield
74 4.3
to relent
33 5.8
to give in
187 3.0
to soften
98 3.1
to concede
146 4.9

Surface Forms

relent infinitive
relented past
relented past participle
relenting present participle
relents third person singular

Etymology

The word relent comes from an old root len- meaning 'soft', the same root you see in lenient. So to relent is to become 'softer' or to give in and stop resisting.