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relent
Use
Relent
in a sentence
re·lent
/
rɪˈlɛnt
/
Show Spelled
[
ri-
lent
]
Show IPA
verb (used without object)
1.
to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving.
2.
to become less severe; slacken:
The winds relented.
verb (used with object)
3.
Obsolete
.
to cause to soften in feeling, temper, or determination.
4.
Obsolete
.
to cause to slacken; abate.
5.
Obsolete
.
to abandon; relinquish.
Relevant Questions
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What Rhymes With Relent?
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Relent
is one of our favorite verbs.
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chat, to converse
to flee; abscond:
to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
to bark; yelp.
to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.
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Origin:
1350–1400;
Middle English
<
Medieval Latin
*relentāre,
equivalent to
Latin
re-
re-
+
lentāre
to bend, derivative of
lentus
flexible, viscous, slow
Related forms
re·lent·ing·ly,
adverb
non·re·lent·ing,
adjective
un·re·lent·ed,
adjective
Synonyms
1.
bend, yield.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To
relent
Collins
World English Dictionary
relent
(rɪˈlɛnt)
—
vb
1.
to change one's mind about some decided course, esp a harsh one; become more mild or amenable
2.
(of the pace or intensity of something) to slacken
3.
(of the weather) to become more mild
[C14: from
re-
+ Latin
lentāre
to bend, from
lentus
flexible, tenacious]
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
relent
late 14c., "to melt, soften, dissolve," from re-, intensive prefix + L. lentus "slow, viscous, supple" (see
lithe
). Sense of "become less harsh or cruel" first recorded 1520s. The notion is probably of a hard heart melting with pity.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
He refused to
relent
, even after repeated entreaties.
Sales dropped by a third, forcing the store owners to
relent
.
He was eventually forced to
relent
after public demonstrations.
Spouses sometimes
relent
under the pressure of extended separation and expanded
responsibilities and file for divorce.
We must not
relent
until our people are safe from this threat to civilization.
We cannot
relent
from our enforcement of laws that keep our nation's workers safe.
He begged them to stop hitting him and they did not
relent
.
The brewing discontent ultimately caused us to
relent
and put this rule out for comment.
If anyone thinks these people are going to go away or
relent
, they're deranged.
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Related Words
relentless
lend
relax
unrelenting
MORE
Matching Quote
"There's no Discouragement,
Shall make him once
relent
,
His first avow'd intent,
To be a Pilgrim."
-John Bunyan
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Synonyms
capitulate
acquiesce
moderate
subside
give in
give up
soften
MORE
Synonym Game
wane
moderate
acquiesce
weaken
relax
forbear
capitulate
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