yielding

/ˈjiːldɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [jˈildɪŋ] /ˈjiːldɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [jˈildɪŋ] /ˈyēl-diŋ How to pronounce yielding (audio)/ (ame, mw)

yielding — adjective

  • yieldingpositive
  • more yieldingcomparative
  • most yieldingsuperlative

1. describes a solid object or material that bends or changes shape easily when you

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a solid object or material that bends or changes shape easily when you press or push it, rather than staying hard or breaking

例句

The mattress was made of a yielding foam that shaped itself perfectly to Elena's body.

collocation: yielding foam / yielding material

Garden soil should be soft and yielding when you push a trowel into it.

pattern: soft and yielding (paired adjectives)

同義詞
  • flexible

    broader term — can describe both bending without breaking and adapting to change or schedules

  • pliable

    often of materials that can be bent and shaped by hand, like clay or wire

  • supple

    suggests smooth, easy bending, especially of leather, skin, or plant stems

反義詞
  • stiff

    describes something that does not bend easily, like cardboard or a new brush

  • rigid

    suggests a total lack of flexibility, often of materials that would crack rather than bend

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns describing soft manufactured materials such as foam, rubber, or padding, and with natural substances like soil or dough.

常見錯誤

The glass is yielding to pressure.
The rubber is yielding to pressure.
💡Glass is not yielding; yielding describes materials that are naturally soft or flexible by nature.

2. willing to change your usual position or opinion to agree with what others want,

2.形容詞B2
釋義

willing to change your usual position or opinion to agree with what others want, especially to avoid disagreement or to keep the peace

例句

Henry's yielding personality meant he rarely argued with his coworkers, even when he disagreed.

collocation: yielding personality / yielding nature

The committee found the new director far more yielding than his stubborn predecessor.

同義詞
  • compliant

    similar but often implies following rules or orders rather than agreeing naturally

  • accommodating

    positive tone — suggests helpful flexibility rather than passive agreement

  • submissive

    stronger and more negative — implies giving in through weakness or fear

反義詞
  • stubborn

    refusing to change your opinion or course of action no matter what others say

  • unyielding

    the direct opposite — firm and determined, not giving in to pressure or argument

  • defiant

    actively refusing to obey or agree, often with a challenging attitude

用法筆記

Often used in contrast to 'stubborn', 'firm', or 'unyielding'. The sense is neutral to slightly positive when the context is cooperation, but can be negative when it suggests weakness in a competitive situation.

常見錯誤

The manager was yielding and therefore always let customers cheat the store.
The manager was lenient and therefore always let customers cheat the store.
💡'Yielding' in this sense means agreeing with others' wishes, not being too generous or permissive.

3. producing a specific amount of a valuable product, such as food, money, or raw m

3.形容詞C1
釋義

producing a specific amount of a valuable product, such as food, money, or raw materials, especially when compared with other things of the same type

例句

The farmer switched to a high-yielding variety of rice that produced twice as much grain per field.

compound: high-yielding / low-yielding

Jiwoo chose a low-yielding but very safe investment for her retirement savings.

同義詞
  • productive

    more general term for producing good results; broader in use than yiedling

  • fruitful

    often used literally for plants and figuratively for efforts or projects

  • profitable

    focuses on financial return; common in business and investment contexts

反義詞
  • unproductive

    failing to produce the desired results or output

  • barren

    of land or soil that cannot support plant growth

  • low-yielding

    the direct opposite in compound form, especially in farming and finance

用法筆記

This sense is most common in compound adjectives (high-yielding, low-yielding) and in comparative or superlative forms. Unlike the first two senses, it is rarely used alone without a modifier.

常見錯誤

The soil is very yielding this year.
The soil is very productive this year.
💡Without a quantity modifier (e.g. 'high-yielding'), this sense sounds incomplete in most contexts.