The word Yielding (Adjective) describes something or someone that gives way under pressure, influence, or force. In this guide, you’ll learn the full definition, synonyms, antonyms, etymology, and real-life examples of how to use Yielding correctly in sentences.
Yielding Explained in Depth
A complete and detailed guide to the word Yielding including meaning, definition, examples, etymology, synonyms, and antonyms.
Meanings of Yielding
Yielding means giving in, bending, or allowing change under pressure—whether physically, emotionally, or mentally. For example, a soft surface can be yielding to the touch, while a person may be yielding when they compromise in an argument. It often suggests flexibility or the ability to adapt.
Definition
Yielding refers to the capacity to bend, adapt, or submit rather than resist. This can apply to physical objects, such as soil or rubber, that easily compress or change shape. However, it is also used to describe people who are open to compromise, willing to listen, or ready to step back in a conflict. In relationships, for instance, a yielding personality may create harmony by avoiding unnecessary arguments. In contrast to being stubborn, yielding behavior often shows sensitivity, empathy, and cooperation.
Therefore, it is seen as a strength in many social and emotional situations. Additionally, yielding may describe land or material that produces or “yields” results, such as crops or profits.
Etymology
The word yielding comes from the verb yield, which originates from the Old English gieldan, meaning “to pay, give up, or surrender.” Over time, the term evolved to carry the broader meanings of “giving way” or “producing.” The suffix -ing turns the verb into an adjective or noun depending on context. In earlier English, yielding was often used in agricultural and legal contexts—for instance, describing land that yields crops or tenants who yield rent. Eventually, it gained metaphorical meanings, such as emotional flexibility or moral concession.
As a result, today’s usage includes physical softness, personal surrender, and productive capacity all rooted in the original idea of giving or producing under certain conditions.
Example Sentences
- The mattress was soft and yielding, making it extremely comfortable.
- She had a yielding nature and always tried to avoid confrontation.
- The soil in this region is highly yielding and great for farming.
Yielding Synonyms
- Flexible
- Accommodating
- Compliant
- Submissive
- Supple
- Agreeable
- Malleable
- Soft
- Adaptable
- Responsive
Yielding Antonyms
- Resistant
- Stubborn
- Rigid
- Unbending
- Inflexible
- Hard
- Defiant
- Obstinate
- Uncooperative
- Immovable
FAQs about Yielding
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the word “Yielding”
1. What does yielding mean in a relationship?
It refers to being open to compromise, avoiding conflict, and adjusting for harmony and mutual respect.
2. Is yielding considered a weakness?
Not necessarily. Yielding can show emotional intelligence, empathy, and flexibility—qualities that strengthen relationships.
3. Can yielding apply to non-people things?
Yes, it often refers to land, materials, or objects that give way, bend, or produce something under force.
4. Is yielding the same as submission?
While they can overlap, yielding suggests flexibility and cooperation, whereas submission may imply surrender without agreement.
5. How is yielding used in agriculture?
It can describe fertile land that produces crops or resources—e.g., “yielding farmland.”