relented

VERB

die down; let up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce capitulate cave in come around comply ease off give in give up let go quit relax slacken soften subside

STRONG

drop ease ebb fall fold forbear melt moderate slow wane weaken yield

WEAK

be merciful change one's mind cool it cry uncle die away ease up on give quarter give some slack give way go along with go easy on have mercy have pity lay back let it happen lighten up mellow out say uncle show mercy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

grow increase worry

STRONG

advance ascend continue free rise

WEAK

build

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

relented

The Football Association and the Football League relented before the start of the 1979-80 season, but sponsors' logos still had to be removed for televised games and all cup ties.

From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026

Worn down by pestering, our parents relented and allowed ginger ale at Sunday dinner.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

After some back and forth, McElwee relented, letting Adrian try his slow zooms and dynamic shots.

From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2026

While Platner—whose lead in the race had evaporated after a previous wave of stories about his relationship history—has not yet relented, he has suggested that he’s reassessing his run.

From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026

One day she relented, and we set forth from the castle in a fitter enclosed by curtains and borne by servants.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein