unyieldingly
|un-yield-ing-ly|
/ˌʌnˈjiːldɪŋli/
(unyielding)
resolute, firm
Etymology
'unyieldingly' is formed in modern English from the adjective 'unyielding' (negative prefix 'un-' + 'yielding') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'. 'un-' originates from Old English 'un-' meaning 'not', and '-ly' ultimately from Old English '-lic' (later Middle English '-lyc') meaning 'like' or 'having the quality of'.
'yield' originates from Old English 'gieldan'/'gieldan' (to give, pay, or render); over time the sense broadened in Middle English (e.g. 'yelden') to include 'give way' or 'surrender'. The adjective 'unyielding' developed by prefixing 'un-' to 'yielding', and 'unyieldingly' was formed by adding the adverbial '-ly' to the adjective.
Originally 'yield' had senses related to paying or rendering; through Middle English it developed the sense 'to give way', and the derived adjective and adverb came to mean 'not giving way' or 'refusing to be persuaded', which is the modern meaning of 'unyieldingly'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that refuses to give way to pressure, persuasion, or demands; stubbornly or firmly.
She unyieldingly defended her principles throughout the debate.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adverb 2
in a way that does not bend, give way, or soften physically or emotionally; rigidly or unrelentingly.
The captain unyieldingly stood by his decision despite mounting criticism.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/20 05:44