relent

Relent is a verb with several related meanings centered on softening, yielding, or easing. It most often describes a change in attitude or judgment: to become less strict or severe, to grant mercy, or to withdraw a firm stance. It can also describe a reduction in intensity, such as weather, pressure, or demand easing or abating.

In use, relent can refer to both moods and conditions. Examples include a ruler who relents and offers leniency after a harsh policy, a negotiator who finally relents to a compromise, or a storm that relents and diminishes in strength. It is typically intransitive when referring to a change of mind or mood, as in “the storm relented,” but it can appear with a preposition to indicate what is yielding, “relent from a position,” or “relent on a deadline.”

Etymology and forms: Relent originates in Middle English from Old French relenter or relentir, with senses evolving from softening or easing of force, will, or weather. The verb forms are relent, relented, and relenting, with the related adjective relentless conveying the opposite idea of unwavering persistence.

Usage notes: Relent is common in formal and narrative writing. It often conveys a moral or emotional shift, rather than a physical action. Antonyms include persist, harden, and resist, while synonyms include yield, soften, concede, and temper. The phrase “relent on/from” is frequently used to specify what is being softened or withdrawn.

See also: mercy, concession, compromise, abate.