compromise

American  

[kom-pruh-mahyz] / ˈkɒm prəˌmaɪz /

noun

• compromises
  plural

1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.

2. the result of such a settlement.

3. something intermediate between different things.

   The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.

4. an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc..

   a compromise of one's integrity.

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verb (used with object)

• compromises,
  present (3rd person singular)
• compromised,
  past participle,  past
• compromising
  present participle

1. to settle by a compromise.

2. to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.; jeopardize.

   a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses.

3. Obsolete.

   1. to bind by bargain or agreement.

   2. to bring to terms.

verb (used without object)

• compromises,
  present (3rd person singular)
• compromised,
  past participle,  past
• compromising
  present participle

1. to make a compromise or compromises.

   The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.

2. to make a dishonorable or shameful concession.

   He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.

compromise British  

/ ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz /

noun

1. settlement of a dispute by concessions on both or all sides

2. the terms of such a settlement

3. something midway between two or more different things

4. an exposure of one's good name, reputation, etc, to injury

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verb

1. to settle (a dispute) by making concessions

2. (tr) to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute

3. (tr) to prejudice unfavourably; weaken

   his behaviour compromised his chances

4. obsolete (tr) to pledge mutually

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• compromiser
  noun
• compromissary
  adjective
• noncompromising
  adjective
• procompromise
  adjective
• quasi-compromising
  adjective
• compromisingly
  adverb
• quasi-compromisingly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• compromises
  plural

Participles

• compromising
  present
• compromised
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• compromise
  simple
• compromises
  simple
• have compromised
  perfect
• has compromised
  perfect
• am compromising
  progressive
• are compromising
  progressive
• is compromising
  progressive
• have been compromising
  perfect progressive
• has been compromising
  perfect progressive

Past

• compromised
  simple
• had compromised
  perfect
• was compromising
  progressive
• were compromising
  progressive
• had been compromising
  perfect progressive

Future

• will compromise
  simple
• will have compromised
  perfect
• will be compromising
  progressive
• will have been compromising
  perfect progressive

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Etymology

Origin of compromise

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Anglo-French compromisse, Middle French compromis, from Latin comprōmissum; equivalent to com- + promise

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Explanation

A compromise is a way of settling differences by everybody making concessions. If you want to stay out until 10 and your friend wants to stay out until midnight, 11 is a good compromise. Compromise comes from the Latin compromissum, which means "mutual promise." It can be a noun or a verb. If you compromise with your lab partner over how to analyze the experimental data, you find the middle ground between your two ideas. Compromise can also mean to erode or diminish. If you never repair your brakes, you will compromise the safety of the car. If you cheat, you compromise your integrity.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

compromise compromises compromised compromising

Ireland's Europe minister Thomas Byrne said on Tuesday it was possible "if compromise can be found".

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

I ask my classes to think of the most aggressive professional compromise they have made in the past few years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

He certainly doesn’t understand compromise or the importance of local issues.

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026

You can still buy homes under $1 million in Los Angeles, but you’ll have to be smarter about your search, widen your location preference and prepare to compromise.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

Paul didn’t want the race issue to compromise her event.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Both Samsung and Google pack dedicated triple-camera setups or ultra-high megapixel sensors into their foldables, whereas Apple makes modest hardware compromises on its camera array to keep the Duo thin and lightweight.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

To keep the Duo thin and lightweight, Apple made modest hardware compromises on its camera array.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

They simply don’t absorb the central lesson of the course: how ethical compromises become justified under pressure and eventually become routine.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

He explained that two possible compromises had been considered.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Historians have emphasized the several compromises the delegates in Philadelphia brokered to produce the constitutional consensus: the interest of large versus small states; federal versus state jurisdiction; the sectional bargain over slavery.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Fielder says A24 reluctantly agreed, leaving him worried that the integrity of the project may have been compromised.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Puerto has framed the suit as a way of fighting back against laws that she feels have compromised the future she wanted to give herself and her children.

From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026

But career stress led to a volatile temper that compromised relationships with my mother, Diana, and my younger brother, Joel, and me.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

But Verstappen squeezed him tight towards the pit wall and with their entry to the first corner so compromised, Leclerc eventually backed off and the four-time champion could claim the corner.

From BBC ● Oct. 11, 2026

A word from him was often enough to keep newspapers from printing a story that compromised national security.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Some long-time admirers of Mapfumo, who arrived in Harare on the eve of the helicopter crash, accused him on social media of compromising his principles, though this was denied by the 81-year-old musician.

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Cells must also be physically capable of changing shape, applying force and wrapping around dead material without compromising themselves or the surrounding tissue.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2026

And so, compromising on the ideal of mechanized proof, researchers developed Interactive Theorem Provers: Mathematicians propose a formal argument, and the program checks whether it is correct and under what conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026

“The most important thing is him being as healthy as possible, not compromising his swing, and kind of bet on that,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

Even my clothes were too compromising, I thought.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

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Related Words

• accommodation
• accord
• adjustment
• arrangement
• bargain
• concession
• deal
• pact
• settlement
• understanding

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