relent
Meaning: To become less severe, harsh, or determined; to soften one's stance or abandon a previously firm position.
Relent suggests a gradual softening rather than an abrupt surrender. It can describe both people changing their minds and impersonal forces like weather or pain easing in intensity. The negative form 'relentless' is arguably more common in everyday usage, but 'relent' itself appears regularly in journalism and literary prose.
Examples
- The headmistress initially refused to allow the school trip, but relented after parents wrote a collective letter of appeal. 女校长起初拒绝了校外旅行的请求,但在家长们联名写信申诉后态度有所缓和。La directora se negó en un principio a autorizar la excursión escolar, pero cedió después de que los padres escribieran una carta colectiva de apelación.校長は当初修学旅行を許可しなかったが、保護者たちが連名で嘆願書を書いた後、態度を軟化させた。교장은 처음에 수학여행을 허락하지 않았지만, 학부모들이 연명으로 탄원서를 보낸 후 태도를 누그러뜨렸다.
- The rain showed no sign of relenting, and the match was eventually abandoned after a two-hour delay. 雨势丝毫没有减弱的迹象,比赛在延迟两个小时后最终被取消。La lluvia no daba señales de amainar y el partido fue finalmente suspendido tras una demora de dos horas.雨は一向にやむ気配を見せず、2時間の遅延の末に試合は中止となった。비는 그칠 기미를 전혀 보이지 않았고, 2시간의 지연 끝에 경기는 결국 취소되었다.
- Public pressure mounted until the minister relented and agreed to publish the full report. 公众压力不断增大,最终部长让步并同意公布完整报告。La presión pública fue en aumento hasta que el ministro cedió y accedió a publicar el informe íntegro.世論の圧力が高まり、ついに大臣は折れて報告書の全文を公開することに同意した。여론의 압력이 거세지자 마침내 장관은 태도를 바꿔 보고서 전문을 공개하는 데 동의했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: journalism, general, literary
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin relentare (to slacken), from re- (back) + lentare (to bend, soften), related to lentus (slow, flexible). Entered English in the 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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