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.

---

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

---

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

The president held consultations on October 31 with political parties in an effort to find a compromise, but no breakthrough emerged.

From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026

Bernstein analyst Lance Wilkes, who is more optimistic about a compromise, wrote that the potential relief for hospitals appears to be reflected in their current multiples.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 1, 2026

But even compromise is getting a bad name these days.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

“You have to be willing to compromise — not your art or your dignity but compromise your time,” John says, “in the hopes that you can pursue a career in music because it’s very competitive.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026

It sounded less like a compromise and more like a present, honestly.

From "Far from the Tree" by Robin Benway

Juliette Landry, a researcher at French sustainable development think tank IDDRI, recalled that before the recent political "disaster", Latin American and Caribbean countries were "very ambitious" participants that sought compromises at the 2022 biodiversity summit.

From Barron's ● Oct. 23, 2026

Understanding these compromises could also lead to improvements in aviation technology, particularly drones and other robotic aircraft that use flapping wings.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 17, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026

He explained that two possible compromises had been considered.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

“After all our meetings and negotiations and compromises, I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

When this protein is broken apart, the barrier becomes compromised, potentially allowing harmful substances and bacteria to interfere with the surrounding tissue.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

The company said an initial investigation indicated that a DevOps engineer’s laptop had been compromised, allowing an attacker to make unauthorized withdrawals from Binance.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2026

In the case of Binance, the investigation is pointing toward a "compromised" laptop of one of its engineers, in addition to "points of breach", the platform said on X.

From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026

“Our initial investigation suggested that the security incident may have involved a compromised laptop, however our subsequent investigation has uncovered additional points of breach,” it said.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026

“The compromised line. The leak in communications. We do not know where the leak is coming from, precisely,” he said.

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

And he has done so without compromising his mission, at least so far.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

“It just became harder to justify staying for all the responsible adult reasons,” he told me, when it was compromising his day-to-day happiness.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

The White House denied compromising public safety, and no evidence established that political access changed the FDA’s findings.

From Salon ● Oct. 19, 2026

Crucially, tests showed that the coated mitochondria continued producing energy, demonstrating that the process could modify their surfaces without compromising this essential function.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2026

He was again forced to choose between his image and his trainer’s wishes, and Howard was a man who had great difficulty compromising his image.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---