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
This has yielded unusually high levels of moisture at all levels of the atmosphere across the US east of the Rockies, Swain said. —Andrew Freedman, CNN Money, 20 July 2025 All can, and do, yield measurable results — from reducing stress, depression and anxiety to improving sleep, physical fitness, mental health, mood and more. —Bija Bennett, Rolling Stone, 18 July 2025
Noun
Advertisement Though experts say there are other compounding factors related to the rising prices, the report notes that unexpected extreme climate conditions and their effects on crop yield cannot be understated. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 22 July 2025 The yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down 1.1 basis points to 4.42%. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 21 July 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
  • McKinley succumbed eight days later, and was succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt.
    — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 18 July 2025
  • If someone succumbs to the heat, promptly relocate them to a cool, shaded location.
    — Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 16 July 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • Sullivan's unique blend of contemporary R&B, soul, gospel and reggae influences gave quiet storm, late-night radio vibes, especially as a vibrant orange and red sunset transformed the upbeat evening into a moody night illuminated by smartphone flashlights.
    — Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 27 July 2025
  • Samsung has given Harman access to a wide array of technologies beyond traditional audio, including instrument panels and driver monitoring.
    — Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 27 July 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • With that filing, Duke must wait at least 120 days to submit a formal application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2025
  • You'll also be required to submit a request form to skip a payment.
    — Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 25 July 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • What causes a 'heat dome'? Heat domes occur when an area of high pressure settles over a region and suppresses clouds, allowing intense sunshine to heat the ground and air above it efficiently.
    — Joyce Orlando, The Tennessean, 22 July 2025
  • The Louisville Fire Department's budget allocation is causing disagreement between the firefighters union and city officials.
    — Lillian Metzmeier, The Courier-Journal, 22 July 2025
Definition of cause
Verb
  • The episode ended with a deep-fake public service announcement that showed Trump walking through the desert, taking off his clothes and collapsing nude in the sand.
    — Christine Ricciardi, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025
  • Burrell, 55, was found collapsed on her shower floor in her Brooklyn apartment at about 1 a.m. on June 17.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 24 July 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • The program was created in 2010 by the La Jolla Community Foundation and subsequently was relinquished to the oversight of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025
  • Expensive, but necessary The Magic went hard after Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies, and had to relinquish a package that included four first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap to get him.
    — Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Warren then surrendered Ozzie Albies’ second three-run homer in as many days in the fourth.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 July 2025
  • Faced with no other option, the heartbroken family surrendered Draco to the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), despite having loved and raised him for over five years.
    — Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 20 July 2025
Definition of surrender
Noun
  • South Korea’s largest conglomerate has run into significant headwinds in recent years across both of its key revenue streams: the manufacturing of memory chips, which help devices store data, and logic chips, which power data processing and computation.
    — John Liu, CNN Money, 31 July 2025
  • The acquisition looks like a good one: over the prior two financial years, Funky Pigeon averaged £32 million in revenue per annum, generating £5 million EBITDA.
    — Kevin Rozario, Forbes.com, 31 July 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 3 Aug. 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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