Meaning & Definition of word "Relent"

Relent

/rɪˈlɛnt/

1. to become less severe, harsh, or strict; to soften in attitude or feeling.
- Example: After much pleading, she began to relent and agreed to let him borrow the car.
2. to give in or yield to a request or demand.
- Example: The manager did not relent to the employee's demands for more vacation days.
3. to express compassion or forgiveness.
- Example: He refused to relent, even after realizing how much his words had hurt her.

Middle English relenten, from Old French relentir, from re- + lentir ('to soften').

relent in one's stance:

To soften one's position or opinion on a matter.

relent to pressure:

To give in to external demands or influences.

not relent:

To maintain a firm or strict position without yielding.

lenient:

Characterized by or exhibiting tolerance and gentleness.

yield:

To surrender or give up.

moderate:

Keeping within reasonable limits; not extreme.

Meaning: To give up or back down in a casual or informal context.

Example Sentence: He decided to relent when everyone kept bugging him about the game.

Meaning: To let something go after being persistent.

Example Sentence: She finally relented on the issue after her friends wore her down.