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 Boston bats, so effective against southpaws all season, made little noise against the Rockies starter, who, until one out in the sixth, yielded only two singles and a walk. —Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2025 Even though a pump of this stuff yields a thick, foamy formula, the feel is feather-light. —Allure, 8 July 2025
Noun
Many beetle and wasp species are predators of common garden pests, leading to higher vegetable yields without chemicals. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 4 July 2025 After the jobs data was released Thursday, yields on U.S. Treasurys spiked immediately. —arkansasonline.com, 4 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
  • In a moment that is almost cliché, the lawyer is the first to succumb to the terror of the T-Rex.
    — Blake D. Morant, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
  • Some leaders recently have succumbed to such efforts and paid the piper, while others have resisted.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Definition of succumb
Verb
  • The ranges are sourced from quarterly tax documents, and employers must give their permission for the department to release their names.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 14 July 2025
  • The Dallas Mavericks gave fans their first look at Cooper Flagg through the first two games of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2025
Definition of give
Verb
  • The brewery opted not to submit any beers to the State Fair’s competition, according to the log of entries.
    — Jack Rodriquez-Vars July 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2025
  • After nearly three years of discussion and refinement, plans have been submitted to the city of San Diego for a pair of monument signs to mark La Jolla’s Bird Rock area.
    — Ashley Mackin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 July 2025
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Odors are often caused by residual water or mineral buildup.
    — Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 9 July 2025
  • Trump’s latest threat to impose a 30% tariff on South Africa caused the South African rand to weaken 1.6% against the U.S. dollar.
    — , CNBC, 9 July 2025
Definition of cause
Verb
  • Together, they’re poised to do something far more radical: collapse the traditional SaaS model and usher in a new era of decentralized, intelligent orchestration.
    — Deepinder Singh Sethi, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • In handcuffs, Miyake collapsed momentarily outside.
    — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • While Israel wants to eradicate Hamas following the Oct. 7 attacks, the group has shown little willingness to relinquish its political and military power in Gaza.
    — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
  • Lesson 4: Less data, better decisions Without her phone, my wife had to relinquish her customary role as the navigator.
    — JJ Rosen, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Octavia Graham, 52, surrendered herself to authorities June 30 following a warrant for her arrest.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 July 2025
  • However, he’s now surrendered four dingers over seven games since coming off the IL.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 July 2025
Definition of surrender
Noun
  • Indeed, a separate legislative analysis requested by Wisconsin lawmakers estimated state residents spent more than $121 million on pot products at Illinois dispensaries in 2022, contributing some $36 million in tax revenue to its southern neighbor.
    — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 7 July 2025
  • During World War II, the company created field rations for the armed services, and Chef Boyardee exploded to a company with $20 million in annual revenue (over $320 million in today’s money).
    — Preston Fore, Fortune, 7 July 2025
Definition of revenue

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yielded
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Cite this Entry

“Yield.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/yield. Accessed 19 Jul. 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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