relent
rih-LENTverbMeaning to become less strict or severe; to give in after refusing
Memory hook re-LENT: she finally LENT it. Ivy begs to borrow her big sister’s bike. Maya says no, no and no again, then sighs and lends it after all. Maya relents.
Mom finally relented and let us stay up to watch the meteor shower.
In context For weeks the coach refused to change the practice time, but when every family signed a letter asking her to, she relented and moved it to after dinner.
Similar give in, soften, yield, back down
Opposite persist, harden, stand firm
From Medieval Latin relentare, “to soften,” from Latin lentus, “soft, bending.”