Let up — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb

Meaning & Definition of Let up

Let up (verb)

  1. to diminish or slow down, slacken
  2. cease, stop
  3. to become less severe —used with on

Let up (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to come to an end

    "the rain let up just as we reached the house"

    similar: break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, expire, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out), bite the dust
    related: desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from), give over (British), knock off, pack (up or in), break down, conk (out), cut out, stall, pause, stay, suspend, abate, peter (out), wind down
    opposite: continue, hang on, persist
    near: draw out, extend, prolong, protract

  2. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

    "the windmill slowed down as the wind let up"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
    related: compress, condense, constrict, contract, evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish, slacken, slow (down), alleviate, relax, flag, sink, weaken, cave (in), collapse, deflate
    opposite: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax
    near: appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Related Entry: Let up (on) (verb)

Let up (on) is a different word from Let up. The synonyms below are for let up (on), not for let up.

  1. as in reduce, decrease

    similar: decrease, diminish, lessen, lower, reduce, subdue, muffle, mute, tone (down), debilitate, enfeeble, weaken, benumb, blunt, cauterize, damp, dampen, deaden, dull, numb, dwindle, recede, subside, taper (off), wane, alleviate, ease, lighten, abate, moderate
    opposite: sharpen, whet, amplify, augment, beef (up), boost, consolidate, deepen, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, redouble, step up, strengthen, animate, arouse, stimulate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Let up

The most common words with a similar meaning to Let up:

break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue, elapse, end, expire, finish, go, halt, lapse, leave off, pass, quit, stop, terminate, wind up, wink (out), abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, lower, moderate, pall

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Let up

Words with the opposite meaning of Let up:

continue, hang on, persist, accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Related Words for Let up

desist (from), lay off (of), refrain (from), give over, knock off, pack (up or in), break down, conk (out), cut out, stall, pause, stay, suspend, peter (out), wind down, compress, condense, constrict, contract, evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), tail (off), vanish, slacken, slow (down), alleviate, relax

Near Antonyms of Let up

draw out, extend, prolong, protract, appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Word Forms of Let up

Inflections: letting up, lets up

Origin & Etymology of Let up

First known use: 1787

Words & Phrases Containing Let up

let up on

Frequently Asked Questions about Let up

What does "Let up" mean?

"Let up" means to diminish or slow down, slacken. As a verb, it is defined as: to diminish or slow down, slacken. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Let up"?

Other words for "Let up" include break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine and die. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Let up" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Let up"?

There are 87 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Let up". Common alternatives include break off, break up, cease, close, conclude, dead-end, determine, die, discontinue and elapse.

What is the opposite of "Let up"?

Antonyms of "Let up" include continue, hang on, persist, accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon and enlarge. Near antonyms include draw out, extend, prolong and protract.

How do you use "Let up" in a sentence?

Examples of "Let up" in a sentence: "the rain let up just as we reached the house"; "the windmill slowed down as the wind let up".

Is "Let up" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Let up" is a verb.

What is the origin of the word "Let up"?

First known use: 1787.

What is another word for "Let up" meaning "to come to an end"?

When "Let up" (verb) means to come to an end, synonyms include break off, break up, cease, close, conclude and dead-end. Opposites in this sense include continue, hang on and persist.