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 next

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

Examples 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 rhetoric has yielded some hope in the sector, with an index of domestic oil and gas stocks, including major firms like ExxonMobil (XOM-0.02%) and Chevron (CVX+0.11%), rising more than 5% Wednesday following Trump’s election win. —

Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024 Other races Several other districts have the potential to yield a surprise once all votes are counted. —

Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Noun

So the yield on the 10-year fell and mortgage rates fell, too. —

Emily Peck, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 Treasury yields swiveled up and down several times following the reports before climbing. —

Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for yield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield

Verb

One of those meteorites eventually succumbed to Earth’s gravitational pull after a lengthy journey through space, sending it on a trajectory that ended in Indiana.

Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Nov. 2024
In 1796, Philipp, only forty-four years old, succumbed to pneumonia.

Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024