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relent

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb relent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of relent are capitulate, defer, submit, succumb, and yield. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

When is capitulate a more appropriate choice than relent?

The meanings of capitulate and relent largely overlap; however, capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

Where would defer be a reasonable alternative to relent?

Although the words defer and relent have much in common, defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

When can submit be used instead of relent?

In some situations, the words submit and relent are roughly equivalent. However, submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When is it sensible to use succumb instead of relent?

While in some cases nearly identical to relent, succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

When would yield be a good substitute for relent?

While the synonyms yield and relent are close in meaning, yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of relent But when Zelensky showed deference to the White House, Trump relented. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Mar. 2025 That is why Howe and his coaches cannot allow Isak to relent. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025 As the sun began to set, the wind relented, and the flag draped down in full. Brad Wieners, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025 Or sellers will relent and list their homes, creating more supply. Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for relent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for relent
Verb
  • The houses also provided a measure of protection for the young women away from home and assumed to be in danger of succumbing to urban corruption.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Despite the disparity in shots, Eastern Hills held on, but finally succumbed to Lake Dallas 4-1. Lake Dallas (15-6-2) moves on and will face undefeated Waxahachie Life (24-0-0) in the area round next week.
    Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The swelling in the area never subsided, prompting surgery to clean up bone spurs that had traveled dangerously close to his Achilles tendon.
    Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rain, expected to begin late Sunday, will subside by Monday afternoon, but below-average temperatures will hang around all week, according to the National Weather Service.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In a concurring opinion submitted with a unanimous denial of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III −a Reagan appointee − laid out an argument that sending deportees out of the country would allow the government to avoid due process.
    James Powel, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Nearly 140 local artists then submitted original designs with personal statements explaining the image and themes used.
    Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • As time went on, her pain diminished, but August decided to go to the emergency room.
    Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The VMAs, which have seen their social capital diminish over the past few years, delivered a promising ceremony in 2024.
    Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • However, Barcelona have scored 20 goals more than Real Madrid in the first 29 league games of the season, while also conceding one goal fewer.
    Sam Leveridge, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The Dyer and Sheehan conceded there was no consensus.
    Chelsea Cantilli, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Keeping those cuts on the books would decrease revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 through 2034, according to estimates from the Tax Foundation.
    Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2025
  • In terms of a mechanism, the rejection seems to decrease levels of a neuropeptide in the brain, which increases after mating, leading Heberlein et al.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Read Next South Carolina Blind dog surrendered when owner couldn’t care for her.
    Daniella Segura, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Former Rams great Andrew Whitworth is spearheading a push to shine a spotlight on NFL offensive linemen, a position group that often gets attention for the wrong reasons — surrendering a sack or getting flagged for a penalty.
    Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But Trump isn’t budging anytime soon, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday.
    Brian Bennett, Time, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The big question is whether Trump will budge on any of the duty rates — such as 20% on the European Union; 27% on India; 26% on South Korea; and 46% on Vietnam — before Wednesday rolls around.
    Kevin Stankiewicz,Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Relent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/relent. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on relent

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