verb
relent
rih-LEHNT
Relent (verb) means to finally agree to something after initially refusing, or to become less harsh. Example: “Her father finally relented and let her go to the concert.”
verb
1
To finally agree to something after initially refusing, or to become less harsh.
"Her father finally relented and let her go to the concert."
"The storm showed no sign of relenting."
How to use relent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo soften your position and give in, or for something harsh to ease off.
Common pairings
finally relent
refuse to relent
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Word forms
- Plural
- relents
- Third person singular
- relents
- Past tense
- relented
- Comparative
- more relent
- Superlative
- most relent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her father finally _____ and let her go to the concert.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman relentir, from Latin lentare, "to bend," related to lentus, "slow, pliant."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “relent” mean?
The word “relent” means to finally agree to something after initially refusing, or to become less harsh. In plain terms, to soften your position and give in, or for something harsh to ease off.
How do you pronounce “relent”?
“Relent” is pronounced rih-LEHNT (/ɹɪˈlɛnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “relent” in a sentence?
Here is “relent” used in a sentence: “Her father finally relented and let her go to the concert.”
What part of speech is “relent”?
“Relent” is a verb.
Where does the word “relent” come from?
The word “relent” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman relentir, from Latin lentare, "to bend," related to lentus, "slow, pliant.".
