compromise
noun
com·pro·mise
| \ ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz
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Definition of compromise
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions
b
: something intermediate between or blending qualities of two different things
2
: a concession to something derogatory or prejudicial
a compromise of principles
compromise
verb
compromised;
compromising
Definition of compromise (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to come to agreement by mutual concession
The two sides were unwilling to compromise. The union and employer agreed to compromise.
b
: to find or follow a way between extremes
2
: to make a shameful or disreputable concession
wouldn't compromise with their principles
1a
: to reveal or expose to an unauthorized person and especially to an enemy
Confidential information was compromised.
b
: to cause the impairment of
illnesses that can seriously compromise the immune system If you don't acknowledge the parent at all, you risk seeming unnecessarily hostile or dismissive but if you allow the parent to govern decisions you could compromise the patient.— Ranjana Srivastava
c
: to expose to suspicion, discredit, or mischief
His reputation has been compromised.
2
: to adjust or settle by mutual concessions
An arbiter was brought in to compromise their differences.
3
obsolete
: to bind by mutual agreement
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Other Words from compromise
Verb
compromiser
\ ˈkäm-prə-ˌmī-zər
\
noun
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noun
Synonyms for compromise
Synonyms: Noun
accommodation, concession, give-and-take, negotiation
Synonyms: Verb
adventure, endanger, gamble (with), hazard, imperil, jeopard, jeopardize, menace, peril, risk, venture
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Examples of compromise in a Sentence
Noun
"You can't always come up with the optimal solution, but you can usually come up with a better solution," he [Barack Obama] said over lunch one afternoon. "A good compromise, a good piece of legislation, is like a good sentence." — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 31 May 2004 I therefore proposed a … strategy that raised the possibility of compromise … — Robert S. McNamara, In Retrospect, 1995 I've had other films that were successful, but I'm aware of the compromises I made—and they were tremendous. — Woody Allen, Rolling Stone, 16 Sept. 1993 In his promotion of burgeoning black writers, however, Hughes made no compromises. — Rita Dove, New York Times Book Review, 9 Oct. 1988 the art of political compromise To avoid an argument, always be ready to seek compromise. a director who will not tolerate artistic compromise She says that accepting their proposal would be a compromise of her principles.Verb
You don't make deals that compromise yourself or your team, of course, but you help other riders if you can, so they might return the favor. — Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike, (2000) 2001 The book is compromised by the author's lack of selectivity. — Amy Hempel, Ms., October/November 1999 Our plan had been to pass a good balanced budget without compromising its essential components … — Tony Blankley, George, September 1997 Lieutenant Charon would get a pat on the back from his captain … not to mention congratulations for running such a quiet and effective operation that had not compromised his informants … — Tom Clancy, Without Remorse, 1994 Finally, the two sides compromised and a treaty was signed … — Alfredo Quarto, Cultural Survival Quarterly, 1990 The two sides were unwilling to compromise. We can't reveal that information without compromising national security. a dangerous drug that can further compromise an already weakened immune system
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The governor’s office, which has voiced support for unionizing ride-hailing drivers, has tried for months to bring the two sides together to reach a compromise on classifying gig workers, something that has proved elusive. — Dustin Gardiner, SFChronicle.com, "11th-hour deal paves way for bill to end rent gouging in state," 30 Aug. 2019 Grossman was neither pro- nor anti-Soviet but a heretical and nonconformist writer who was forced to make compromises throughout his career. — Sean Williams, Harper's magazine, "Letters," 19 Aug. 2019 And once things got going, fans got into some heated debates over the season’s most divisive element: June’s turn toward antihero, making moral and ethical compromises in her radicalization and focus on rebellion within Gilead. — David Canfield, EW.com, "The Handmaid's Tale showrunner responds to divisive season 3 reaction," 14 Aug. 2019 The compromise on writer confidential information allows writers to block the agency from providing the guild with copies of contracts and invoices, but the agency will still have to notify the WGA as to each new deal entered into. — Jonathan Handel, The Hollywood Reporter, "Kaplan Stahler Becomes First ATA Literary Agency to Sign Writers Guild Agreement," 22 July 2019 The city should have given residents more time to comment on the idea of eliminating the service, and should have come up with a compromise on the issue. — Jen Fifield, azcentral, "Want bulk trash pickup? You'll have to pay in these 2 metro Phoenix cities," 8 July 2019 While legally entitled to do so, the success of this strategy likely depends on the prime minister offering compromises on Brexit (since Scotland voted to remain in the EU) or greater self-government. — Gareth Evans, Quartz, "The UK’s next prime minister must urgently answer five constitutional questions," 28 June 2019 That could mean the two parties reach a compromise on the maps or — perhaps more likely — go to court with competing sets of maps. — Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gerrymandering takeaways: What the Supreme Court's redistricting decision means for Wisconsin," 27 June 2019 Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have agreed to restart trade talks, but Chinese officials are increasingly cautious, and appear unwilling to make the kinds of major compromises on industrial policy that U.S. officials demand. — latimes.com, "Today: The Storm Over Trump's 5G Plan," 20 June 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Greece is an entry point to the Schengen Zone, an area compromising most of the European Union in which people can move from country to country without passport checks. — NBC News, "Turkish authorities report huge jump in migrants trying to get to Europe," 30 Aug. 2019 Google's researchers say the malicious sites were programmed to assess devices that loaded them, and to compromise them with powerful monitoring malware if possible. — Wired, "Mysterious iOS Attack Changes Everything We Know About iPhone Hacking," 30 Aug. 2019 These sites provide temporary network and wireless coverage to locations where coverage is minimal, or in this week's case, compromised by Dorian. — Jake Newby, USA TODAY, "What to know about your cell service during Hurricane Dorian," 30 Aug. 2019 Britain’s Brexiteers and Remainers denigrate each other as immoral, driving politics to the extremes because compromising with the enemy is treachery. — The Economist, "The corrupting of democracy," 29 Aug. 2019 He should be held accountable for his behavior to make sure his personal interests do not compromise his public duties. — David Schultz, Twin Cities, "David Schultz: When are the private lives of public officials our concern?," 29 Aug. 2019 Some worried that the publicity could compromise the already delicate talks. — Jan Hoffman, BostonGlobe.com, "Sacklers would give up ownership of Purdue pharma in proposed $3 billion settlement," 28 Aug. 2019 Part of the Dorrs’ playbook in other states has been to antagonize existing leading Second Amendment groups for being too compromising. — Andrew J. Tobias, cleveland.com, "How one Ohio gun-rights group aims to upend the public debate by scaring Republicans," 27 Aug. 2019 The son believes what happened next compromised the hunt for the killer. — Lynette Rice, EW.com, "The tragic, unsolved murder of Hogan's Heroes star Bob Crane," 26 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'compromise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.