compromise
Americannoun
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a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.
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the result of such a settlement.
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something intermediate between different things.
The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.
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an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc..
a compromise of one's integrity.
verb (used with object)
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to settle by a compromise.
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to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.; jeopardize.
a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses.
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Obsolete.
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to bind by bargain or agreement.
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to bring to terms.
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verb (used without object)
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to make a compromise or compromises.
The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.
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to make a dishonorable or shameful concession.
He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.
noun
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settlement of a dispute by concessions on both or all sides
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the terms of such a settlement
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something midway between two or more different things
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an exposure of one's good name, reputation, etc, to injury
verb
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to settle (a dispute) by making concessions
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(tr) to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute
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(tr) to prejudice unfavourably; weaken
his behaviour compromised his chances
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obsolete (tr) to pledge mutually
Other Word Forms
- compromiser noun
- compromisingly adverb
- compromissary adjective
- noncompromising adjective
- procompromise adjective
- quasi-compromising adjective
- quasi-compromisingly adverb
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"These practices compromised the ability of agencies to purchase Ryanair flights and combine them with flights from other airlines and/or additional travel services, thereby reducing direct and indirect competition between agencies."
From Barron's
On Monday, it said it was also too early to know how the embankment had become compromised.
From BBC
"It probably will result in his power being diluted or him having to make some sort of compromise," said the analyst.
From Barron's
If he isn’t able to do that, I fear he’d be hard to compromise with down the line.
From MarketWatch
He said the fire service had put in a flood gate to stop the flow of more from the compromised waterway.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
