com·pro·mise
ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz 
1
a
: 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
compromised; compromising
1
a
: 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
1
a
: 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
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
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
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
Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Other donors agree with Trump administration criticisms that many nonprofits or institutions have become too ideologically one-sided and political and should be seeking to reform or compromise.
—Hayley Cuccinello,robert Frank, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Department of Pesticide Regulation compromised, and each location is now shown within a 1-square mile area.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compromise
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
With security threats increasingly powered by AI, from sophisticated Gmail attacks to malicious advertising accounts that can lead to search engine compromise, there’s no doubt that this is the new frontier of the cybersecurity badlands.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Other donors agree with Trump administration criticisms that many nonprofits or institutions have become too ideologically one-sided and political and should be seeking to reform or compromise.
—Hayley Cuccinello,robert Frank, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
The breach did not compromise Hertz’s internal systems directly but involved data that had been shared with the vendor as part of its operational workflow.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2025
The Department of Pesticide Regulation compromised, and each location is now shown within a 1-square mile area.
—Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compromise
Cite this Entry
“Compromise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compromise. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
compromise
1 of 2 noun
com·pro·mise
ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz
1
: a settlement of a dispute by each party giving up some demands
2
: a giving up to something that is wrong or degrading : surrender
a compromise of one's principles
3
: the thing agreed upon as a result of a compromise
compromise
2 of 2 verb
compromised; compromising
1
: to adjust or settle differences by means of a compromise
2
: to expose to disgrace, suspicion, or danger
compromised his reputation
compromise security
compromiser
noun
Medical Definition
compromise
1 of 2 transitive verb
com·pro·mise
ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz
compromised; compromising
: to cause the impairment of
certain chemical agents may compromise placental function
a compromised immune system
compromise
2 of 2 noun
: the condition of having been compromised : impairment
cardiovascular compromise
patients at risk for airway compromise—David Jaffe et al.
David Jaffe et al.Legal Definition
compromise
1 of 2 noun
com·pro·mise
: an agreement resolving differences by mutual concessions especially to prevent or end a lawsuit
compromise
2 of 2 verb
compromised; compromising
: to resolve or dispose of by a compromise
cases in which a dispute is compromised—E. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young
E. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young
: to enter into a compromise
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