YIELD Synonyms: 314 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'yield' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of yield are capitulate , defer , relent , submit , and succumb . While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty. // yields too easily in any argument

Q: When could 'capitulate' be used to replace 'yield'?

The words capitulate and yield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force. // officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

Q: When is it sensible to use 'defer' instead of 'yield'?

The synonyms defer and yield are sometimes interchangeable, but defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another. // I defer to your expertise in these matters

Q: In what contexts can 'relent' take the place of 'yield'?

Although the words relent and yield have much in common, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand. // finally relented and let the children stay up late

Q: When might 'submit' be a better fit than 'yield'?

In some situations, the words submit and yield are roughly equivalent. However, submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another. // a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

Q: When would 'succumb' be a good substitute for 'yield'?

While the synonyms succumb and yield are close in meaning, succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force. // a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

yield 1 of 2

verb

ˈyēld

Definition of yield

as in to succumb

to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit) I finally yielded to temptation and had a bowl of ice cream

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as in to give

to produce as revenue I expect that stock to yield at least 14% profit this year

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as in to submit

to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control) after initially balking at the order, the soldier yielded when the commanding officer threatened a formal charge of insubordination

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as in to cause

to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) the sort of embarrassing question that seldom yields an honest answer

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as in to collapse

to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the door soon yielded to the battering ram

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as in to relinquish

to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress refusing to yield the city to enemy troops

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as in to surrender

to give (oneself) over to something especially unrestrainedly she yielded herself to temptation and booked a month-long vacation in the Bahamas like she'd wanted to for years

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yield

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noun

as in revenue

an increase usually measured in money that comes from labor, business, or property the stock's yield has increased over the years

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as in production

something produced by physical or intellectual effort wheat farmers were able to increase the yield per acre substantially

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as in bounty

the total amount collected or obtained especially at one time the yield from the police department's buyback program for firearms was staggering

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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb yield differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of yield are capitulate, defer, relent, submit, and succumb. While all these words mean "to give way to someone or something that one can no longer resist," yield may apply to any sort or degree of giving way before force, argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

yields too easily in any argument

When could capitulate be used to replace yield?

The words capitulate and yield are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, capitulate stresses the fact of ending all resistance and may imply either a coming to terms (as with an adversary) or hopelessness in the face of an irresistible opposing force.

officials capitulated to the protesters' demands

When is it sensible to use defer instead of yield?

The synonyms defer and yield are sometimes interchangeable, but defer implies a voluntary yielding or submitting out of respect or reverence for or deference and affection toward another.

I defer to your expertise in these matters

In what contexts can relent take the place of yield?

Although the words relent and yield have much in common, relent implies a yielding through pity or mercy by one who holds the upper hand.

finally relented and let the children stay up late

When might submit be a better fit than yield?

In some situations, the words submit and yield are roughly equivalent. However, submit suggests full surrendering after resistance or conflict to the will or control of another.

a repentant sinner vowing to submit to the will of God

When would succumb be a good substitute for yield?

While the synonyms succumb and yield are close in meaning, succumb implies weakness and helplessness to the one that gives way or an overwhelming power to the opposing force.

a stage actor succumbing to the lure of Hollywood

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of yield

Verb

Initial attempts yielded a soft, sticky residue that failed performance checks. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Aug. 2026 His government has rarely been seen to yield to public pressure. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Noun

If Japan were to dump treasuries onto the market and the supply of them were to grow, then bond yields would rise. — Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Earn more interest on your money by opening a high-yield savings account now. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield

Verb

As some of us will inevitably succumb to its grand and growing illusion, the rest may get the opportunity to find the key to understanding how so many others could be fooled and so foolish.

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2026
Lifesaving measures were performed on-site, but Rebecca Marodi succumbed to her injuries.

— Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.

— Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
McIntosh’s Bryan Boone, the county’s building and zoning administrator, said just shy of 30 feet was the minimum given the flood risk.

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of give

Verb

Drop it off in person Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, states have been working to educate voters about submitting ballots by mail earlier or returning them in drop boxes all year.

— Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026
Everything submitted in Spanish must be accompanied by a translation into English that must be done by a person, not an automatic online translator.

— Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

More than 50 hectares (124 acres) of peatland have burned in Jambi province on Sumatra island, causing choking haze in some areas and raising concerns about worsening air quality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Everyday Seismic Noise Although earthquakes are the most familiar source of seismic activity, scientists regularly detect vibrations caused by people.

— Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of cause

Verb

The defending World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers may have to relinquish their title to the surging Atlanta Braves.

— Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
The big headline coming out of Santa Clara was Kyle Shanahan’s July car accident and the resulting head injury that’s forced him to relinquish head coaching duties until he’s fully cleared from concussion symptoms.

— Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Noun

Aircraft owners use charter revenues to offset some of their operating costs, though the extra flights bring additional expenses for maintenance, pilots, and wear-and-tear.

— Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
Advertising revenue at $423 million was down just under 1 percent from the year-earlier period when ad revenue dropped 13 percent and content licensing revenue was unchanged at $43 million.

— Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of revenue

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yield

yielded

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“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of yield

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