compromise

1 of 2

noun

com·​pro·​mise ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz How to pronounce compromise (audio)
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

compromise

2 of 2

verb

compromised; compromising

intransitive verb

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

transitive verb

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
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
compromiser noun

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
Lincoln was not willing to end the Civil War through a compromise. Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2024 The central compromise of the MMA was the creation of a new mechanical licensing collective to administer Section 115 streaming blanket licenses, governed by rightsholders, and funded by DSPs. Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024 Bipartisan talks in the Senate reached a sweeping immigration and border security compromise that was intended to satisfy GOP requests, but House lawmakers rejected it, as did Trump, and the Senate then voted it down last month. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024 President Joe Biden, under pressure from Democratic governors and mayors, backed a Senate compromise that would tighten border security and asylum procedures. David D. Kirkpatrick, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2024 In October, the group decided to freeze Schumacher’s pay for two years in a compromise with those shareholders. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 15 Mar. 2024 Biden and others have pointed out that Trump ordered Republicans to block a bipartisan compromise that would have tightened border security, apparently because the former president wants to keep the crisis going as a campaign issue. Doyle McManus, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The Blue Line can proceed as planned, thanks to a compromise worked out behind closed doors between the city and legislative leaders. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Mar. 2024 Lawmakers struck a compromise about how to define antisemitism as discrimination in educational settings. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
The Murthy case is partly about how much and in what ways the government can compromise civil liberties during a public-health emergency. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2024 Staff and ambulance shortages under Falck had been blamed for low staff morale and fatigue among paramedics and emergency medical technicians, which can compromise quality of care. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 Avoid microwaving frozen raw foods, which can compromise safety and quality. Maryal Miller Carter, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 When humans are stressed, the immune system can become compromised and more susceptible to infection; the same goes for desert plants. Caralin Nunes, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 And then my dad had a terrible accident that left him compromised neurologically. Jon Pareles, New York Times, 18 Mar. 2024 Alternatively, [special assistant district attorney] Wade can withdraw, allowing the district attorney, the defendants, and the public to move forward without his presence or remuneration distracting from and potentially compromising the merits of this case. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2024 The authors don’t seem to have an understanding that a diverse mix of opinions and views leads to compromise. Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 15 Mar. 2024 Poor execution could also compromise the reliable supply of inputs needed for the transition itself, such as minerals, clean manufacturing capacity, infrastructure, land, and worker skills. Mekala Krishnan, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compromise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English, mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision, from Anglo-French compromisse, from Latin compromissum, from neuter of compromissus, past participle of compromittere to promise mutually, from com- + promittere to promise — more at promise

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of compromise was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near compromise

Cite this Entry

“Compromise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compromise. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compromise

1 of 2 noun
com·​pro·​mise ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīz How to pronounce compromise (audio)
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 How to pronounce compromise (audio)
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 compromiseDavid 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

transitive verb

: to resolve or dispose of by a compromise
cases in which a dispute is compromisedE. A. Farnsworth and W. F. Young

intransitive verb

: to enter into a compromise

More from Merriam-Webster on compromise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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