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

Building a robot that can yield to forces AthenaZero consists of a central torso, two robotic arms fitted with hands, and a system of motors and gears. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2026 As a director who built his movies to stand the test of time and continue yielding new questions and debates, Kubrick would be proud. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026

Noun

The move comes as Treasury yields retreated from their highs but remain at elevated levels. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 In stock markets abroad, indexes ticked higher in Europe as yields continue to swing in their bond markets amid concerns about high government debts and tight budgets. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield

Verb

Mark died last year, at sixty-two, from cancer; Bragg’s older brother, Sam, had also succumbed to the disease a few years earlier, at sixty-four.

— Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Others succumbed to their wounds or the conditions endured in captivity.

— Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Although only group tours are available, there's a free audio app, which gives insight into the collection.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Oct. 2026
Among Steinbeck purists, giving Cathy a trauma backstory has proven a controversial move — one that just might turn the story’s main moral on its head.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of give

Verb

In 2009, armed men stopped a convoy of civilians, relatives, lawyers and journalists heading to submit election filings in Maguindanao and killed 58 people, at least 32 of them journalists and media workers.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
An Anthropic artificial intelligence model submitted a false tip to a Philadelphia police website about an unsolved homicide case, authorities and Anthropic said.

— Mae Anderson, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

Extreme tropical weather led to two deaths in Mexico and caused widespread damage over the weekend as Hurricane Simon pounded the country's Pacific coast, authorities said Monday.

— JAIMIE DING, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
Her heart cells had been infected with parvovirus B19, the virus that more commonly causes Fifth Disease.

— Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of cause

Verb

Moon, meanwhile, is struggling at school but on the precipice of adulthood; as the young woman begins to make her own decisions in life, Yue must relinquish a degree of maternal responsibility.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
With all the characters in the show, but with Margaret in particular, there’s this exploration of losing control, taking control and relinquishing control.

— Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

This is a place to take a risk, to surrender, and at the very least, to experience something that can only happen for you in that moment — something altogether fleeting that is just yours.

— Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Within a minute of the puck hitting the ice, the Dons surrendered the first breakaway.

— Richie McGinniss, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrender

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yet

yield

yielded

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Style

“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of yield

verb

noun

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