Possible Clues:

• Toned down
• Began to melt
• In the end, commenters online had to accept frequently getting moderated
• Moderated part of articles, often edited
• Piece of news often editorially toned down
• Started to melt
• Relented
• Became tender
• Relented, being frequently found in Kent with deputy head
• Being frequently in reverse, Desmond relented