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

With the clock ticking, Paramount might be more willing to compromise to reach a settlement, including selling some of its hoped-for assets.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Chait points to the Senate’s creation—a compromise between bigger and smaller states to enact the Constitution.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

Your friend and her husband both have inheritances to gain and lose, so hopefully they will find a compromise.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026

He also suggests multiple equivalent question papers allocated randomly, or localised papers, so that a breach in one location does not compromise an entire national examination.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

A compromise was reached, and I am pleased to report that vanilla yogurt makes quite an edible topping for apple pie.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

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

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026

Childbirth presents one of the most profound evolutionary compromises.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

But the US military has previously admitted it had to make compromises -- mainly on the internal decor -- to get the aircraft into service as quickly as possible for Trump.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

At the same meeting, Noel Gould of the Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council said the council is supporting the project after working closely with the developers to reach compromises.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026

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

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

"The roots of trust lie in two places: the teachers who set the question papers and the invigilators who supervise candidates. If either is compromised, the system is vulnerable," he told the BBC.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

The proposal follows an OpenAI disclosure that two of its AI models escaped a testing environment and compromised systems at Hugging Face.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026

Intel’s guidance for a second-quarter gross margin of 39% represents a decline from the previous quarter, though the company attributed that performance to one-time “inventory benefits” from selling partially compromised chips.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026

A handful of residential units were inundated, including a few where electricity had to be shut off because their electrical panels were compromised.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2026

My head is pounding, and my balance seriously compromised.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

“The MacBook Neo offers Apple a more affordable option without compromising the premium status of the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro,” David Naranjo, associate director at Counterpoint Research, told MarketWatch.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 2, 2026

The specifics of what was leaked have not been released, but the Secret Service said their agent faced a "potential criminal inquiry", involving allegations of "compromising operational and information security".

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

"Europe should have access to the world’s most capable AI without compromising control over their data, operations or digital future," Microsoft President Brad Smith said in the statement.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

A quarter said they probably could have withdrawn more money during retirement without compromising their financial security, and 8% said they definitely could have.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 17, 2026

I looked through them all now with a sense of dismay, as you might a series of compromising pictures of a loved one.

From "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

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