Relent
[rɪ'lent] or [rɪ'lɛnt]
Definition
(v. i.) To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to melt; to deliquesce.
(v. i.) To become less severe or intense; to become less hard, harsh, cruel, or the like; to soften in temper; to become more mild and tender; to feel compassion.
(v. t.) To slacken; to abate.
(v. t.) To soften; to dissolve.
(v. t.) To mollify ; to cause to be less harsh or severe.
(n.) Stay; stop; delay.
Inputed by Agnes
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Soften (in temper), grow lenient or tender, abate severity or rigor.
Checked by Letitia
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Yield, relax, soften
ANT:Persist, harden
Editor: Tess
Definition
v.i. to slacken to soften or grow less severe: to grow tender: to feel compassion.—adj. soft-hearted: yielding.—n. (Spens.) relenting.—adjs. Relent′ing inclining to yield: too soft; Relent′less without relenting: without tenderness or compassion: merciless.—adv. Relent′lessly.—ns. Relent′lessness; Relent′ment the state of relenting: relaxation: compassion.
Checked by Joseph
Examples
- When she perceived the wild or pathetic appeal of his expressive countenance, she would relent, and for a while resume her ancient kindness. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- But my husband has his weaknesses, and he is so weak as to relent towards this Doctor. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- The words cut Dorothea to the heart, and made her relent. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- If Miss Crawley did not forgive them at present, she might at least relent on a future day. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- That it could soften or relent, appeared next to impossible. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- If Aunty does not relent, what shall we do? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Modeste, he continued less fiercely, be gentle, be pitying, be a woman; look at this poor faceand relent. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Meg smiled and relented, and whispered as they stood waiting to catch the time, Take care my skirt doesn't trip you up. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Then the older man relented. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Has Aunty relented? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Mrs. Snagsby looked rather alarmed, relented a little and faltered, what did Mr. Bucket mean. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- That I cannot be,'--('to her,' she was on the point of adding, but she relented at the sight of that poor, anxious face. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Peepy retired behind his elbow at first, but relented at the sight of sponge-cake and allowed me to take him on my lap, where he sat munching quietly. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- In two minutes, however, he relented in his own favour; and muttering something about spruce-beer, walked off. Jane Austen. Emma.
- Jaelthe stern woman; sat apart, relenting somewhat over her captive; but more prone to dwell on the faithful expectation of Heber coming home. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- There was no pause, no pity, no peace, no interval of relenting rest, no measurement of time. Charles Dickens. A Tale of Two Cities.
- But Mr. Garth was already relenting. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Celia could not help relenting. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- And with a relenting smile, he added, I come home to be happy and indulgent. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- I was not beaten, or starved; but the wrong that was done to me had no intervals of relenting, and was done in a systematic, passionless manner. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- He just stood looking at her so wistfully, so tenderly, that she found her heart relenting in spite of herself. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I shall disclose some of his opinions of you, privately expressed to me, unless he relents a little. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- You must live on your pay till your father relents, and if you die, you leave your wife a hundred a year. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Let your name be mentioned in the Gazette, and I'll engage the old father relents towards you: Mentioned in the Gazette! William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Typist: Wesley