Relent

/rɪˈlɛnt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

to become less severe, harsh, or strict; to soften in attitude or feeling.

After much pleading, she began to relent and agreed to let him borrow the car.

to give in or yield to a request or demand.

The manager did not relent to the employee's demands for more vacation days.

to express compassion or forgiveness.

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.

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

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

To let something go after being persistent.

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