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 then Conservative government had a big majority and had opposed the bill, but in the face of public pressure, relented.

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 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

The president initially resisted and only relented after one of his agents threatened to drive the armored limousine—a roughly 20,000-pound vehicle known as “The Beast”—right up to the hole, the former aide said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026

The captain had relented and let Alyona marry the first mate.

From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini