1. abandon or mitigate a harsh intention or cruel treatment: "she was going to refuse his request, but relented"Similarchange one's minddo a U-turnbackpedalback downgive waygive incapitulateyieldaccedecome aroundacquiescesoftenmeltweakenunbendbecome mercifulbecome lenienthave/show pityhave/show mercygive quarteragree to somethingallow somethingconcede somethingadmit somethingdo an about-turnOppositeharden