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

But even compromise is getting a bad name these days.

From Slate ● Oct. 29, 2026

The compromise ensures Clearlake’s control for a few more years and allows lenders to increase their valuations of symplr’s loan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

But ATP sources insist a compromise is likely to be found.

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

The group was able to achieve a compromise, but it never saw the light of day.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026

“Further notice” could easily be never if the arguing sides didn’t come up with a compromise.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

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

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

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

We would have to learn to co-operate with each other—to make compromises.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

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

Initially, the company had indicated the breach "may have started with a compromised DevOps engineer's laptop" but later statements have pointed to a broader breach.

From BBC ● 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

Separately, Polymarket said on social media that it had temporarily halted trading on its international platform after one of its third-party providers was compromised.

From Barron's ● Oct. 29, 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

“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

What if it attaches conditions that force religious schools to choose between accessing public benefits and compromising their values?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 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

Once again, Wendell Phillips and other abolitionists told Anthony that her behavior was compromising the antislavery cause.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

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

---