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

“The continuum is where the compromise can exist,” Scharp says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

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

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026

Such “dangerous” remarks could “potentially compromise our safety,” said L.A.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026

He carried code names, passwords, and secret identities in his head, afraid that storing them anywhere else might compromise his agents.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

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

Some teams and drivers prefer not to use the system because of two key compromises.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

“It’s really hard to figure out how to get millions of people to pay to watch something, and that challenge leads to all kinds of compromises and sacrifices.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

The Adams-Jefferson rivalry and friendship is the outstanding example here, though there are several crucial moments when critical compromises were brokered because personal trust made it possible.

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

Instructure eventually announced it reached a deal with “the unauthorized actor involved” to return the compromised data, but didn’t say who that actor was or whether payment was involved.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 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

Stupnikov slipped away and buried the compromised device—one of three in his possession—in the garden of the house where he was billeted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

"We cannot allow the safety of our children to be compromised," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

“Why didn’t you tell Mae about the compromised lines? The spies you think may be listening in?”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

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

I hope I can retire earlier without compromising my lifestyle or long-term security.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

“If they’re successful in compromising them at the lowest level, they’re probably going to be very successful in compromising them when they get promoted to a federal job like Congress.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026

At the Rad Lab, Wilson contributed ingenious improvements to the cyclotron, among them a rubber gasket allowing probes to be inserted and withdrawn from the chamber without compromising the vacuum.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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Related Words

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