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

A worthwhile compromise might be to tell your husband that you’d like to set a limit on how much you both are spending at these dinners.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026

I hope both sides can find a reasonable compromise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

Tremblay added even if Canada cut its trade with the US over the longer term, it was clear "they'll have to sit down and make a compromise".

From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026

Now with distance, it impresses as a skilled piece of political moviemaking, one that captures the era’s sense of moral compromise and queasy vengeance.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Rather than annihilate one another, the nations of Europe would have to settle future disputes through negotiation and compromise.

From "The War to End All Wars: World War I" by Russell Freedman

“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

I’ve been testing Android versions from Samsung and Google since 2019, and those early editions came with too much screen and too many compromises.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

But he admitted both sides would have to make compromises to narrow the differences between them.

From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026

Phil music director, remains the Bowl, a fabulous gathering place but one of musical compromises along with exaltation.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

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

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

"The thought that all of these beautiful creatures and habitats could be compromised as superpowers slug it out for supremacy is sobering."

From Barron's ● Sep. 16, 2026

The postmaster general, David Steiner, said earlier this month that although the portal was developed quickly, the agency’s standards for quality and security weren’t compromised.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

By not putting Shohei Ohtani on the injured list in July or in August, the Dodgers may have compromised the two-way star’s ability to be healthy for the playoffs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 12, 2026

Elissa says a senior Stonebridge employee told her they were under "pressure" to increase output and sometimes that compromised quality.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2026

But what was clear to each of them was that their mission, Operation Pastorius, had been compromised from the moment they ran into the coast guardsman.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

But she says that this has been achieved without compromising on quality which is what keeps M&S's core audience on board.

From BBC ● Sep. 18, 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

Co-Chief Executive David Allemann said the quarterly results show a brand can achieve global scale without compromising its premium brand positioning.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026

Now it’s about creating an income and tax strategy that allows you to enjoy those assets without compromising your long-term security.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

He stayed locked in his work, for the most part undaunted, riding out the bumps and compromising where he could, clinging to the sober-minded, someone’s-gotta-take-this-on brand of optimism that had always guided him.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

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