How to pronounce relent
Say it like rih-LENT. Relent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LENT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce relent. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- rih
- LENT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Relent pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- LENTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of relent
American and British speakers say relent in essentially the same way: /rɪˈlɛnt/ in the US and /rɪˈlɛnt/ in the UK.
British respelling: rih-LENT.
What does relent mean?
- 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.”
- To slacken; to abate.“We waited for the storm to relent before we ventured outside.”
- To become less rigid or hard; to soften; to yield, for example by dissolving or melting
- A stay; a stop; a delay.
Where does relent come from?
From Middle English relenten, from Anglo-Norman relentir, from Latin re- + lentare (“to bend”), from lentus (“soft, pliant, slow”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with relent
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of relent.
Questions about saying relent
How do you pronounce relent?
Say rih-LENT. The American pronunciation is /rɪˈlɛnt/. In British English it is /rɪˈlɛnt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in relent?
Relent has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LENT). Broken into parts: rih · LENT.
Do Americans and Brits say relent the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /rɪˈlɛnt/ and the British form is /rɪˈlɛnt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.