SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
relent
verb
To become less severe, resistant, or intense.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Become less resistant
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topRelent often describes a person relaxing a firm stance. Abate and slacken usually describe a force or intensity becoming weaker.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See relent in use
The organizer finally agreed to relent and allow one extra rehearsal.
The coordinator tried to conciliate the two members by inviting each to explain what a workable display process would require. The member offered to remove the sketch immediately to appease Mina's anger, although removal alone did not settle the concern about future permission. Mina began to relent when he acknowledged the issue and proposed asking before each display. She remained clear about the boundary, but her earlier refusal to discuss any further shared project softened enough for a practical conversation.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license