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 continuum is where the compromise can exist,” Scharp says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026

"And I've learned that there are a lot of people of good will who want to make compromise. And there are some people who find compromise much more difficult."

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

He certainly doesn’t understand compromise or the importance of local issues.

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2026

But a single term in the Indiana General Assembly from 1884 to 1886, with its demands for legislative compromise, frustrated him.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

After several tense days, the Polish government agrees to a compromise.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

He explained that two possible compromises had been considered.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026

Some teams and drivers prefer not to use the system because of two key compromises.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 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

“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

In Japan, meanwhile, around 20 companies have said their data may have been compromised in a spate of similar cyberattacks potentially impacting millions of customers.

From Barron's ● Oct. 9, 2026

The BND said Tuesday it never compromised on internal security.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

The message claims the unnamed hackers have "fully compromised the Snowflake instance".

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 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

Anyone holding the job was hopelessly compromised as any sort of moral example.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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

Then, he says, you should think about how much you can afford to give to make sure you’re not compromising your own financial security to help your family member.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 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

Lizard houses, as previously noted, were as much like terrariums as they could be without compromising privacy; they were one of the few animals who kept spare sheets of glass everywhere.

From "Chronicles of a Lizard Nobody" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

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