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
Condé Nast China back then also disclosed that GQ China became the most profitable edition due to the success of GQ Lab, yielding 200 million renminbi in revenue in 2018, an amount equivalent to several European editions combined. —Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 15 Apr. 2025 The experience changes with each season, and our January version yielded sun, crisp temps, and very few other visitors—which made for a perfect mind-clearing meander. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.27% from 4.35% late Tuesday and from 4.48% at the end of last week. —CBS News, 16 Apr. 2025 In just a few sessions, the yield on the 10-year Treasury soared to 4.592% on Friday, the highest since February. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 16 Apr. 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
  • Typically seen as a safe haven asset in times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty, gold succumbed to the aftershock of Trump’s policy seesawing in recent days before rallying 1.7% to around $3,228 an ounce on Friday morning.
    — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Apr. 2025
  • Within a fortnight, a farmer in rural Georgia is hospitalized with a high fever and vomiting blood; a week later his son in San Antonio succumbs, becoming the first U.S. Ebola death.
    — David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • Plenty even gave me their own kitty stories too.
    — Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • The scholarships will be given based on the community service, grade point average and financial need of the applicant.
    — News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • In a concurring opinion submitted with a unanimous denial of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Monday, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III −a Reagan appointee − laid out an argument that sending deportees out of the country would allow the government to avoid due process.
    — James Powel, USA Today, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Nearly 140 local artists then submitted original designs with personal statements explaining the image and themes used.
    — Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • The tariff file has caused a high level of uncertainty both for consumers and businesses.
    — Robert Barone, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
  • And there’s a biological reason for it: Broken heart syndrome occurs when intense emotional stress causes your heart to temporarily stop pumping properly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting.
    — Kathleen Ferraro, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025
Definition of cause
Verb
  • Dramatic videos show buildings collapsing and swaying in Thailand. 4:09 A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake rattled much of Southeast Asia on Friday, resulting in mounting casualties and flattened skyscrapers from Myanmar to Thailand.
    — Mark Osborne, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Additional footage shows collapsed buildings and wreckage in the streets.
    — Scott Neuman, NPR, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • The New York congresswoman had relinquished her No. 4 leadership slot as House Republican Conference Chair since she had been named Trump’s UN pick, and Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) was elected in her place.
    — Emily Brooks, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Because these behavioral issues are not dissected, addressed or asked about during vet visits, many people relinquish their dogs to animal shelters.
    — John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Instead, the Brewers allowed 36 runs, surrendering 15 home runs, as the Yanks swept the three games.
    — Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 13 Apr. 2025
  • She was shot once in the shoulder, and after briefly going back into her home, ultimately surrendered and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
    — Rachel DeSantis, People.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of surrender
Noun
  • Meta, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, earned over $164 billion in revenue in 2024.
    — Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Merit reached a net revenue of more than $100 million in 2024 and in 2023 the brand made $100 million in retail sales.
    — Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 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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