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

He said he was grateful to those engaging in dialogue, adding that it was "a crucial time" for Northern Ireland and he hoped compromise could be found.

From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026

“Given this is an ongoing criminal investigation, all facts are not publicly available to not compromise the criminal investigation,” Shandlin’s attorneys said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Zaidi’s selection as prime minister was a compromise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

With several powerful groups refusing to disarm, senior politicians have intervened and are now hoping to work out a compromise deal.

From Barron's ● Sep. 30, 2026

After the German surrender, he brought one more argument to the table: using the bomb on Japan would fatally compromise America’s moral and humanitarian standing, undermining any efforts to create a workable international control regime.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Speaking to BBC Sport before the latest dispute escalated, he said his understanding was White had helped secure the Netflix deal and compromises had been necessary to get the fight made.

From BBC ● Sep. 27, 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

“We repeatedly took compromises in order to keep the coalition together and move the legislation forward,” said Faryar Shirzad, Coinbase’s chief policy officer, in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

Navy may have only another six months of blockade left in it before maintenance and equipment shortfalls force compromises in how we surveil, block and escort ships in the Persian Gulf.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

This was a compromise, and Duane was good at compromises.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

His race was then further compromised by contact with Bortoleto, for which the Audi driver was penalised, so 17th doesn't tell the whole story.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

This “compromised the city’s initial and extended response, and further compromised the region” as other fire departments picked up the slack, the report found.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2026

Some found out via the news that their personal information might’ve been compromised, NPR reports, and aren’t sure how the bureau will protect them if vengeful criminals get their hands on it.

From Slate ● Sep. 30, 2026

Quotable: “While no confidential information was compromised, and the service of our statistical site was not disrupted, this incident represents an extremely worrying fundamental breakdown in AI containment,” according to a spokeswoman for U.N.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

All the while I was listening for clicks, listening to the sound we’d been told would signify a compromised line.

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

“The most important thing is him being as healthy as possible, not compromising his swing, and kind of bet on that,” Roberts said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 10, 2026

"We believe that these changes will... help dilute the effect of a mobilised block vote, without compromising fairness or trust," according to the letter, which was first reported by Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, external.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 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