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 compromise bill follows multiple attempts to change the law in recent years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026

An FAA spokeswoman said the agency "is committed to holding employees accountable, and we will not compromise the safety or efficiency of the National Airspace System."

From Barron's ● Aug. 27, 2026

“The task of the mediators to have the two sides reach some sort of a compromise have become even more difficult in the current circumstances.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Hugging Face gained attention earlier this summer when OpenAI models breached controls and were able to compromise the company’s systems.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026

Indeed, Woodall refused to relinquish leadership of the expedition or make any kind of compromise, even after he received a message from President Mandela appealing for reconciliation as a matter of national interest.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

With this comment, Johnson has summed up the challenges for Wakefield - can Reform give the public what they want without making compromises?

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 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

Potential compromises: The city’s steep hills can pose challenges for people with limited mobility.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

"A politician in Europe is someone who knows how to seek compromises, find common ground, understand the public mood, and adapt to it."

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

University conferences and professional committees worried over the conflicts and compromises presented by academic profit seeking.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

But its unprecedented growth also invited challenges of "newly imposed taxes and duties, compromised sustainability, privacy and copyright practices and competition", he added.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

The Berlin cyber-attack comes roughly a month before the city holds elections, though state senator Iris Spranger insisted that election infrastructure had not been compromised.

From BBC ● Aug. 28, 2026

Travel Assn., there is the potential that he and our safety have been compromised.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

The spokeswoman said that so far Forbes hasn’t found evidence that the integrity of its rankings or editorial decisions were compromised.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 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

"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

On Monday, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Colombia, killing more than 250 people so far and compromising hundreds of buildings.

From Los Angeles Times ● 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

United States in 1929 that where Congress prescribes the exclusive method for compromising tax liability, informal settlements by officials, however senior, do not bind the United States.

From Slate ● Aug. 10, 2026

We argue over how much breakfast I should eat, compromising at two eggs and some of the steak.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

Related Words

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