Word
yielding
Phoneticsyield·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈjiɫdɪŋ/
UK/jˈiːldɪŋ/
Definitions
01soft or flexible
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. soft and easy to bend or press down.
adj. giving way easily under physical pressure; flexible or supple in texture.
“The hikers enjoyed walking on the yielding surface of the forest floor.”
“The mattress was surprisingly yielding, contouring perfectly to his body and providing relief for his aching joints after the long flight.”
02compliant or submissive
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. willing to do what other people want or to agree with them.
adj. inclined to submit to the will or influence of others; lacking resistance in a social or political context.
“He had a yielding nature and often let his friends choose where to eat.”
“The negotiator was criticized for his yielding approach, as he seemed more interested in avoiding conflict than in securing a fair deal for his client.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03a concession
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. the act of giving up something or agreeing to a demand.
n. the act of conceding or giving way to a demand or argument.
“The final yielding of the territory brought an end to the long war.”
“The diplomat viewed the sudden yielding on tariff restrictions as a strategic move to facilitate broader trade discussions.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“This retooling is yielding results, said Skibitskyi, as Russian industry is beating production targets in most missile categories.” “In the visible universe as a whole, there are an estimated 2tn galaxies, yielding a total of about 100 sextillion stars.” “Sixteen of them were viable, yielding new viruses.” Etymology
From Middle English ȝeldinge, ȝeldynge, ȝeldinde, ȝeldand, from Old English ġyldende, ġieldende, present participle of ġieldan (“to yield, pay”), equivalent to yield + -ing.
From Middle English yelding, yeldinge, ȝeldynge, equivalent to yield + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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