relent

Everyday

1. To finally agree to something after first saying no; to become less strict. tree →
2. (of weather, pain or pressure) To become less strong. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and family life it tells the reader that a parent, teacher or ruler changed their mind and gave in: «Mum finally relented and let us stay up». In weather reports the rain or wind relents. Phrases: «finally relented», «refused to relent», «the rain relented».

Examples

• Dad said no at first, but then he relented and bought the ice cream. tree →
• The teacher relented and gave us five more minutes. tree →
• The storm did not relent all night. tree →
• The king refused to relent and the prisoner stayed in jail. tree →
• When the heat relented, we went outside. tree →
• She begged until her big sister relented. tree →
• The King relented, took the Eaglet home with him, and fed it for a year, for two years. tree →

Note

Regular verb: relented. Adjective: «relentless» means never stopping or giving up — the opposite feeling. Not the same as «lent» or «Lent».