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

Every decade seems to yield a new crop of death knells and eulogies explaining why the form has reached the end of its useful life. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026 Researchers hope the effort may yield clues about dark matter as well as an equally puzzling force known as dark energy. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026

Noun

On top of that, the number of acres harvested decreased by 12 percent, with a yield-per-harvested acre decline of 15 percent. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 9 July 2026 When interest rates are elevated, returns on assets like bonds, money market funds and high-yield savings accounts are more attractive. — Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 8 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for yield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield

Verb

One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.

— Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
On Thursday at Wimbledon, a couple of players were unable to do so, succumbing to Nadal’s Law.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Because of that, the resolution called on the Legislature to give counties more oversight.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2026
The most fascinating quarter-final tie for me, given that Switzerland denied us an all-South American affair between Argentina and Colombia.

— Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of give

Verb

The case will be submitted to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 July 2026
Should the Council decline, if Unite NY then submits at least another 15,000 signatures, the matter will go to the ballot.

— New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 6 July 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

The powerful winds are capable of causing catastrophic damage to structures while downing trees and power lines, and producing prolonged power outages.

— Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
In May, authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda declared outbreaks after lab tests detected the spread of Bundibugyo virus, which causes a type of Ebola disease.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of cause

Verb

The camaraderie was evident on the ground here in La Guaira, the coastal city where quake damage was most severe, collapsing dozens of buildings.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
The dogs, specially trained to detect human scent, have spent days searching for people trapped beneath the rubble of nearly 200 buildings that collapsed following the two powerful back-to-back earthquakes.

— Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 5 July 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

By the end, the Sparks spent the game playing catch-up, never regaining the lead after surrendering it in the first 49 seconds to Johnson.

— Liana Handler, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
When each man surrendered possessions to the ice, Shackleton threw his gold cigarette case away first.

— Ed Brzychcy, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Definition of surrender

Noun

State tax revenues have been at record levels but are heavily dependent on the current stock performance of artificial intelligence companies.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Holscher, in a video outside of a dispensary in Kansas City, made a case for legalizing marijuana for an additional source of revenue for the state, building up the local cannabis industry and for personal freedom.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

Definition of revenue

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yielded

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“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of yield

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