Relent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ri-ˈlent/ re·lent

Meaning & Definition of Relent

Relent (verb)

  1. to become less severe, harsh, or strict usually from reasons of humanity
  2. to cease resistance, give in
  3. let up, slacken

Relent (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)

    "the supervisor finally relented in the face of the petition, and allowed employees to take longer lunch breaks"

    similar: blink, bow, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, submit, succumb, surrender, yield, say uncle, throw in the towel
    related: acquiesce, defer
    opposite: resist
    near: contend, fight, hold off, battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel, thwart, withstand

  2. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

    "the fury of the storm relented, and the next day the sun finally broke through the clouds"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, 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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Relent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Relent:

blink, bow, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, submit, succumb, surrender, yield, abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane, say uncle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Relent

Words with the opposite meaning of Relent:

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

Related Words for Relent

acquiesce, defer, 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

Near Antonyms of Relent

contend, fight, hold off, battle, breast, combat, confront, counter, defy, face, meet, object, oppose, repel, thwart, withstand, appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Word Forms of Relent

Inflections: relented, relenting, relents

Origin & Etymology of Relent

Middle English, to melt, soften, from Anglo-French relenter, from re- + Latin lentare to bend, from lentus soft, pliant, slow lithe

First known use: 15th centuryi

Frequently Asked Questions about Relent

What does "Relent" mean?

"Relent" means to become less severe, harsh, or strict usually from reasons of humanity. As a verb, it is defined as: to become less severe, harsh, or strict usually from reasons of humanity. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Relent"?

Other words for "Relent" include blink, bow, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under and quit. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Relent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Relent"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Relent". Common alternatives include blink, bow, budge, capitulate, concede, give in, knuckle under, quit, submit and succumb.

What is the opposite of "Relent"?

Antonyms of "Relent" include resist, accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate and expand. Near antonyms include contend, fight, hold off and battle.

How do you use "Relent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Relent" in a sentence: "the supervisor finally relented in the face of the petition, and allowed employees to take longer lunch breaks"; "the fury of the storm relented, and the next day the sun finally broke through the clouds".

Is "Relent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Relent" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Relent"?

"Relent" is pronounced /ri-ˈlent/ and divided into syllables as re·lent.

What is the origin of the word "Relent"?

"Relent" comes from Middle English, to melt, soften, from Anglo-French relenter, from re- + Latin lentare to bend, from lentus soft, pliant, slow lithe. First known use: 15th centuryi.