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.

---

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

---

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

The developers countered with data and a procession of outside experts; in time, leadership relented.

From The Wall Street Journal

Indian officials relented and agreed to download the black-box data in Delhi instead of the remote lab.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety - and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people," Tinubu said.

From BBC

He made that argument repeatedly, starting several decades ago and relenting only recently.

From MarketWatch

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

Related Words

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