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

One proposed compromise, he said, would have allowed the Orangemen to complete one final march along the Garvaghy Road, on the condition it would not apply to march the route again.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

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

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026

After several tense days, the Polish government agrees to a compromise.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

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

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

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

He explained that two possible compromises had been considered.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

“For the BND and for me, there can be no compromises regarding internal security. None of my goals or priorities are being called into question by this incident.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

University conferences and professional committees worried over the conflicts and compromises presented by academic profit seeking.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

One cybersecurity expert expressed concern that such a vast breach could have occurred based on one compromised username and password.

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

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

Eventually I compromised, and walked half a mile in the wrong direction toward the gap, keeping the store between me and his line of sight.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien

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

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

Alba spent two days walking around the house in circles in a state of sheer despair, going through the books in Jaime’s tunnel and on her own shelves and destroying anything that might be compromising.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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Related Words

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

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