Definition of "relent" in English

noun

1. A stay; a stop; a delay.

2. (obsolete) A relenting.

verb

1. (intransitive) To give in or be swayed; to become less hard, harsh, or cruel; to show clemency.

   • He had planned to ground his son for a month, but relented and decided to give him a stern lecture instead.

2. (intransitive) To slacken; to abate.

   • We waited for the storm to relent before we ventured outside.
   • He will not relent in his effort to reclaim his victory.

3. (obsolete, transitive) To lessen, make less severe or intense.

4. (dated, intransitive, of substance) To become less rigid or hard; to soften; to yield, for example by dissolving or melting

adjective

1. (obsolete) Softhearted; yielding.