Show sympathy toward, with on
Else clues• Back off, as with discipline
• Become flabby
• Become lax
• Become lenient
• Become lenient (on)
• Become lenient, as on crime
• Conciliate
• Get mushy
• Lose harshness
• Lose one's resolve
• Relax
• Relent
• Stop being strict
• Take it easy, with on
• Treat leniently, with on
• Turn tender-hearted