relent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word relent is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to cease resistance and become less severe or intense (e.g., relent in one's criticism). For example, After much coaxing, the teacher finally relented and allowed the class to leave early.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Business and technology leaders have pushed their way to the forefront of the new US culture wars this week - forcing social conservatives to relent in the battle over so-called religious freedom bills and hitting back against what they consider to be legal discrimination against gay people.

The Guardian

Cowell has affected to chuck him on the scrapheap once before, only to relent, and almost every returning X Factor series has seen similar hokey cokey over the preciousness of Louis' position.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

As his wife begs him to relent, he stands above her with a knife, ready to strike.

The Guardian - Arts

Democrats are increasingly confident Boehner will have no option but to relent, allowing the Senate's bipartisan bill to be put to a vote.

The Guardian

Brussels might relent and push Athens to liberalise other markets as a way to achieve the same end.

The Guardian - Business

Finally, Mr Khamenei may be hoping to clip the wings of the established favourite, his old friend and rival, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.In this section It's the same old sectarian system but without the Syrians Who will run, let alone win? Might the Sunni Arabs relent?

The Economist

But the parties and their leaders proved to have stubborn roots, and the army had to relent.

The Economist

WILL Iran relent and take steps to build confidence in the claimed peaceful nature of its nuclear work?

The Economist

Mr Painter says his website is proving so successful at shifting metal that Honda, and the doubting dealers, will eventually relent: "The power of the market will change their mind".However, several states' regulators are looking into whether the website breaches their laws.

The Economist

After a crisis meeting on November 4th the Herat chamber of commerce urged the Afghan government to ask Iran to relent.

The Economist

Extreme jihadists, such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian who proclaims himself al-Qaeda's man in Iraq, will not relent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relent" to describe a deliberate change in attitude or action, particularly after a period of resistance. It implies a conscious decision to soften or yield.

Common error

Avoid using "relent" to describe a temporary pause or break in an activity. "Relent" implies a more significant change in attitude or action, not just a temporary cessation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "relent" is as an intransitive verb, indicating an action performed by the subject to become less severe or intense. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples demonstrating the verb's application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relent" functions as an intransitive verb that describes the action of becoming less severe or intense. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical usage is correct, and it's very common in contexts such as News & Media and Formal & Business settings. Best practices include using it to describe a conscious shift in attitude or action, particularly after resistance. A common error is using "relent" to describe just a temporary pause instead of a significant change. Semantically related alternatives are "yield", "soften", and "give in".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yield

Focuses on ceasing resistance and giving way to pressure or demands.

soften

Emphasizes a reduction in harshness or severity in attitude or action.

give in

Highlights the act of surrendering or ceasing to resist an opposing force or influence.

back down

Suggests withdrawing from a position or argument, often under pressure.

cave in

Implies a sudden and complete yielding, often after prolonged resistance.

acquiesce

Indicates reluctant acceptance without protest.

capitulate

Emphasizes unconditional surrender.

show mercy

Highlights a compassionate decision to reduce punishment or harm.

temper justice with mercy

Suggests moderating strict application of rules with compassion.

lower standards

Highlights a decrease in required criteria or expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "relent" in a sentence?

You can use "relent" to describe someone becoming less severe or stubborn, such as, "After much persuasion, the company finally "relented" and agreed to the terms.".

What are some alternatives to "relent"?

Alternatives to "relent" include "yield", "soften", or "give in", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What does it mean when someone "relents"?

When someone relents, it means they cease to resist an action or argument, often becoming more forgiving or agreeable. It implies a change in attitude or behavior from a stricter stance.

How does "relent" differ from "compromise"?

"Relent" implies a yielding or softening, often by one party, whereas "compromise" suggests a mutual agreement where both parties make concessions. A person may "relent" without a "compromise" necessarily being reached.