yield 1 of 2

verb

ˈyēld How to pronounce yield (audio)
Definition of yieldnext
1
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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2
as in to give
to produce as revenue I expect that stock to yield at least 14% profit this year

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3
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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4
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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5
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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6
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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7
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

2 of 2

noun

1
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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2
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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3
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
The blaze of cuts have yielded nonsensical and perhaps unintended consequences. —Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 22 May 2025 Good form in Wattenscheid yielded a move to Go Ahead Eagles, a Dutch second division club from the town of Deventer. —Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Noun
Bond yields are reaching 20-year highs amid the realization in financial markets that many of the budget cuts in the House bill are gimmicks and the deficit spiral will mostly continue. —The Editors, National Review, 23 May 2025 Mortgage rates rebounded recently to a three-month high of 6.92%, and are continuing to move up even more as Treasury yields climb. —Bloomberg, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for yield
Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield
  1. succumb
  2. give
  3. submit
  4. cause
  5. collapse
  6. relinquish
  7. surrender
  8. revenue
Verb
  • Quickly: In Oklahoma City, the Timberwolves succumbed to a masterclass in Thunderology, in which the young juggernauts fell behind early, rebounded, played incessant defense and saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander work his foul-merchant magic.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • In the coldest regions of its hardiness zone, plants can succumb to winter dieback during unusually harsh winters but generally recover well with new growth.
    — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 May 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • But there are few substitutes for availability, and no player has given more to Spurs this season than Porro.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The former monk also gave specific advice on how to hone in on what's important in life.
    — Melody Chiu, People.com, 27 May 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • There’s a lengthy, awkward, process to get your money back, which includes submitting a claim and waiting for approval.
    — Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
  • To submit any news, please email eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Rodriguez has been charged by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia with the murder of foreign officials, causing death through the use of a firearm and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, the district attorney's office said.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 23 May 2025
  • Ye West, formerly known as Kanye West, made a rare public plea for forgiveness this week, addressing the hurt caused by his past antisemitic remarks.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
Definition of cause
Verb
  • The security perimeter collapses, and the risk increases exponentially.
    — Craig Davies, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025
  • Video shows the man collapse to the ground, deputies said.
    — Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 26 May 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • In the end, Piastri was forced to relinquish second place too as his teammate Lando Norris swept past him on newer, faster tires once all the cars had bunched up at the end of the race behind the safety car.
    — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 18 May 2025
  • There are any number of reasons why owners may choose to relinquish a pet.
    — Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 May 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Calvin Faucher surrendered six runs without securing a single out and Lake Bachar gave up three more as the Cubs posted eight runs on eight hits in the decisive sixth inning of a 14-1 Marlins’ loss at loanDepot park.
    — Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
  • After the battle, the South surrendered Fort Gaines, which still stands on Dauphin Island.
    — D. Hunter Reardon, USA Today, 21 May 2025
Definition of surrender
Noun
  • Contra Home Depot, whose first-quarter earnings fell just below analyst expectations despite beating revenue projections, according to FactSet, reported the company will hold onto its forecast for full-year sales.
    — Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • All those numbers pale in comparison to the $54 billion YouTube earned in 2024 revenue.
    — Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 20 May 2025
Definition of revenue

Browse Nearby Words

yet
yield
yielded
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Cite this Entry

“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on yield

Nglish: Translation of yield for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yield

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