Definitions
- Describing a change in attitude or behavior towards someone or something after being unyielding or harsh. - Referring to a decision to give in or compromise after refusing or resisting previously. - Talking about a situation where the intensity or severity of something decreases or subsides.
- Describing a change in tone or language to become less harsh or critical. - Referring to a change in attitude or behavior towards someone or something to become more compassionate or understanding. - Talking about a physical change in texture or consistency to become less hard or rigid.
List of Similarities
- 1Both involve a change in attitude or behavior.
- 2Both can refer to a decrease in intensity or severity.
- 3Both can be used to describe a change in tone or language.
- 4Both can be used to describe a physical change in texture or consistency.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Relent is often used in the context of a decision or action, while soften can refer to a change in tone, attitude, or physical texture.
- 2Intensity: Relent implies a more significant change or shift than soften.
- 3Direction: Relent implies a change from a negative or harsh attitude or behavior to a more positive or lenient one, while soften can refer to a change in either direction.
- 4Focus: Relent emphasizes a change in response to external factors or pressure, while soften can refer to a change in response to internal factors or emotions.
- 5Connotation: Relent can have a negative connotation, implying that someone was previously unyielding or harsh, while soften has a more positive connotation, implying a change towards compassion or understanding.
Remember this!
Relent and soften both describe a change in attitude, behavior, or physical texture. However, relent implies a more significant change in response to external factors or pressure, often from a negative or harsh attitude to a more positive or lenient one. On the other hand, soften can refer to a change in tone, attitude, or physical texture in either direction, often in response to internal factors or emotions.
