What does "relent" mean?
Relent: 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. Can you . . . behold My sighs and tears, and will not once relent Shak.
Additional senses
- 2.To slacken; to abate. [Obs.] And oftentimes he would relent his pace. Spenser.
- 3.To soften; to dissolve. [Obs.]
- 4.To mollify ; to cause to be less harsh or severe. [Obs.]
- 5.Stay; stop; delay. [Obs.] Nor rested till she came without relent Unto the land of Amazona. Spenser.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00