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relent

[ ri-lent ]
/ rɪˈlɛnt /
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See synonyms for: relent / relented / relenting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving.
to become less severe; slacken: The winds relented.
verb (used with object)
Obsolete. to cause to soften in feeling, temper, or determination.
Obsolete. to cause to slacken; abate.
Obsolete. to abandon; relinquish.
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Origin of relent

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

OTHER WORDS FROM relent

re·lent·ing·ly, adverbnon·re·lent·ing, adjectiveun·re·lent·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use relent in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for relent

relent
/ (rɪˈlɛnt) /

verb (intr)
to change one's mind about some decided course, esp a harsh one; become more mild or amenable
(of the pace or intensity of something) to slacken
(of the weather) to become more mild

Word Origin for relent

C14: from re- + Latin lentāre to bend, from lentus flexible, tenacious
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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