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

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

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

Rezaei, 71 years old, has shown no inclination to compromise on opening the Strait of Hormuz, an artery vital to the oil industry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

USC coach Lincoln Riley said the Trojans could not compromise on scheduling all future games against Notre Dame early in the season.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 9, 2026

For Salah, however, the move represents a compromise.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

The smell of burnt wood combining with grapes for smoky wine would not necessarily make it unfit for consumption, but it would likely compromise sales, he said.

From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026

Marriage is one long fit of compromise, deep and wide.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

"A politician in Europe is someone who knows how to seek compromises, find common ground, understand the public mood, and adapt to it."

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

“You become a little more willing to make compromises on things that you might not usually compromise on, just because you’re so tired of searching,” said Alyssa Tracy, one of Travis’ confidants.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026

“So I can only go by what he and the training staff are telling me. So, unless I hear otherwise, that hitting compromises his health, then I’m going to keep putting him in the lineup.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026

Identify the compromises you’re consciously choosing to make in pursuit of a lifestyle that’s a better fit.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

“They do. But if some of them were willing to work hard and make compromises, they might not have ideal lives, but they could make ends meet.”

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Many stayed outside overnight as dozens of aftershocks threatened to bring down compromised buildings.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

"A thorough investigation found no evidence of MoD data or systems being accessed, compromised or transmitted externally," an MoD spokesperson said.

From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026

In a September 2023 letter to Egan-Jones, the SEC wrote that the firm’s incentives for analysts could lead to compromised ratings.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026

So while mFlusiva has the FDA’s blessing, Kennedy’s handpicked panel could still recommend that only a subset of Americans—say, people with compromised immune systems—get it.

From Slate ● Aug. 6, 2026

I had no idea where they’d found them, but they had, and now my sisters were trying to drive away in a compromised vehicle without a clue as to how to handle it.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall

Now it’s about creating an income and tax strategy that allows you to enjoy those assets without compromising your long-term security.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

United States in 1929 that where Congress prescribes the exclusive method for compromising tax liability, informal settlements by officials, however senior, do not bind the United States.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

L&G’s ability to grow volumes without compromising on returns remains a key question, as well as the source of its raised guidance for its management actions unit, Cohen says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

USC coach Lincoln Riley said he is glad to have the Trojans’ annual rivalry game with Notre Dame back without compromising the Trojans’ biggest need.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

It could be compromising our ability to make decisions.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

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