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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2 of 2

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

Thus far, the board hasn’t said specifically what findings the investigation yielded or what the district will do differently in the future. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026 Switching to newer models, which tend to be more energy and water-efficient, could yield savings in the long run. — Simmone Shah, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

Noun

Seemingly divergent policies from the US Federal Reserve and Treasury will be a key focus at a gathering of global central bankers, with bond yields nearing record highs and little respite on the horizon from dizzying global government debt levels. — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026 Yet investors shouldn't reach for the highest yields, which could mean the stock price is on a downward path. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yield

Recent Examples of Synonyms for yield

Verb

The Liberty’s deficit stayed in double figures while succumbing to the pressure of Golden State’s small lineups.

— Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026
Wolf succumbs to Shura, a demonic force in the game’s mythology that possesses those who give in to bloodlust.

— Aman Kumar, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of succumb

Verb

Suggest the plan, capture the takeaways, and give everyone one clear action.

— Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 Aug. 2026
Utilizing quick, short passes, Hayes completed 14 of his first 16 attempts, including a 26-yard touchdown strike to sophomore tight end Ian Figi that gave Naperville Central a 14-0 lead.

— Matt Le Cren, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of give

Verb

However, the action may not end at 11pm — deal sheets allow clubs to conclude signings two hours after the transfer window closes, provided the correct paperwork is submitted before the deadline.

— Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
By Thursday evening, more than 60 people had been taken by ICE in Danbury, according to CT Students for a Dream, which tracks arrests based on video footage submitted by rapid response teams.

— Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of submit

Verb

One day, Cole paged through an album whose acidic glues caused her particular anguish.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
The rocks and melted water then swelled the rivers in the valleys below, causing a torrent of water that swept buildings, bridges and earth downstream in Tibet and Nepal.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of cause

Verb

Sunny Patel’s father, Jitendra (ph), traveled to the region from New York for a spiritual retreat, crossing the border into Tibet to start the trek when the glacier collapsed.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 Aug. 2026
Scientists who studied satellite images said bedrock underneath a glacier high in the Himalayan region had collapsed, taking part of the glacier with it.

— Victoria Milko, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of collapse

Verb

Goss voluntarily relinquished his Missouri law license and surrendered his right to practice law in Kansas.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026
During her tenure, Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles; Voigt had accused Rose of a toxic workplace culture.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of relinquish

Verb

There were surrendered leads against Chelsea in the 2008-09 FA Cup final and, perhaps more galling, against a weaker-than-usual Liverpool side in a 2011-12 FA Cup semi-final.

— Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
Goss voluntarily relinquished his Missouri law license and surrendered his right to practice law in Kansas.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of surrender

Noun

Unlike Anthropic, which gets a higher share of its revenues from enterprises, OpenAI is more popular among individual consumers, explained Ujjwal Chaudhry, a partner at market intelligence firm Analysys Mason.

— Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
Improve home-health billing, claims submission, denial management, legacy accounts receivable, revenue-cycle dashboards, and financial sustainability.

— Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of revenue

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yet

yield

yielded

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“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of yield

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noun

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