compromised

adjective

com·​pro·​mised ˈkäm-prə-ˌmīzd 

1

: made vulnerable (as to attack or misuse) by unauthorized access, revelation, or exposure

compromised data/passwords/accounts

a compromised computer

2

: impaired or diminished in function : weakened, damaged, or flawed

a compromised immune system

… cancers transplanted into immunologically compromised mice.

—Douglas Daly

Both of these situations would be detrimental to the already compromised cancer patient.

—Don Steven Poster et al.

… walking all night also meant risking hallucinations, hypothermia, and compromised judgment.

—Eva Holland

"Explorer owners told us they want … improved fuel economy without compromised performance."

—Mark Fields

… fixed an issue that made it easier for hackers to obtain users' information. Despite the app's compromised security, it is gaining popularity.

—Carolyn Bossmann

These are all examples of compromised integrity in everyday life in a world where "the end justifies the means" mentality appears to prevail.

—Gary Martin

3

: exposed to suspicion or discredit : revealed as or suspected of being disreputable, untrustworthy, etc.

a compromised reputation

a compromised judge

Examples of compromised in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tavello said that, because of the COVID pandemic, her life was dialysis and chemotherapy and nowhere else because her immune system was so compromised. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2025

The frequent demands on a compromised and beholden company to perform the patronage function local government used to provide before courts put the kibosh on the practice. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 June 2025

But until staffing, expertise and oversight are restored, the FDA’s ability to protect the public’s health will remain compromised. —Brian Castrucci, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Infection in other species often requires exposure to a large amount of virus, or a compromised or underdeveloped immune system. —Kimberly Dodd, The Conversation, 16 Jan. 2025

Those with more compromised lung function will need to bring supplemental oxygen along with medications. —Melinda Fulmer, TIME, 10 Oct. 2024

This can cause the blood-brain barrier, a network of tissue and vessels that prevents harmful substances from reaching your brain, to become compromised, causing catastrophic consequences. —Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 17 Aug. 2024

This solemn folk-rock autopsy, which came out 50 years ago this month, examined the rapidly corrupting values of a hippie era founded on notions of social justice and equality—an era that eventually came to embody something far darker and more compromised. —Elizabeth Nelson, The Atlantic, 31 July 2024

Contrasting with the compromised or synthetic data commonly used in less secure and efficient environments, Delvy's clean data practices ensure that AI models are trained on unbiased, accurate, and high-quality data sets. —Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 28 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing compromised

• immune-compromised
• immuno-compromised

Rhymes for compromised

• acclimatized
• actualized
• aerosolized
• alphabetized
• aluminized
• anaesthetized
• anesthetized
• annualized
• antagonized
• apologised
• apologized
• capitalised