Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense compromises, present participle compromising, past tense, past participle compromised
1. variable noun
A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want, because of circumstances or because they are considering the wishes of other people.
Encourage your child to reach a compromise between what he wants and what you want. [+ between]
Be ready and willing to make compromises between your needs and those of your partner.
The government's policy of compromise is not universally popular.
Synonyms: give-and-take, agreement, settlement, accommodation More Synonyms of compromise
2. verb
If you compromisewith someone, you reach an agreement with them in which you both give up something that you originally wanted. You can also say that two people or groups compromise.
The government has compromised with its critics over monetary policies. [VERB + over]
'Nine,' said I. 'Nine thirty,' tried he. We compromised on 9.15. [VERB + on]
Israel had originally wanted $1 billion in aid, but compromised on the $650 million. [VERB + on]
[Also pl-n V, V (non-recip)]
3. verb
If someone compromises themselves or compromises their beliefs, they do something which damages their reputation for honesty, loyalty, or high moral principles.
[disapproval]
He compromised himself by accepting a bribe. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
He would rather shoot himself than compromise his principles. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: undermine, expose, embarrass, weaken More Synonyms of compromise
More Synonyms of compromise
compromise in British English
(ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz)
noun
1.
the 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
5.
to settle (a dispute) by making concessions
6. (transitive)
to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute
7. (transitive)
to prejudice unfavourably; weaken
his behaviour compromised his chances
8. (transitive) obsolete
to pledge mutually
Derived forms
compromiser (ˈcomproˌmiser)
noun
compromisingly (ˈcomproˌmisingly)
adverb
Word origin
C15: from Old French compromis, from Latin comprōmissum mutual agreement to accept the decision of an arbiter, from comprōmittere, from prōmittere to promise
compromise in American English
(ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz)
noun
1.
a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions
2.
a.
an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. by modifying some aspects of each
b.
the result of such an adjustment
3.
something midway between two other things in quality, effect, etc.
4.
a.
exposure, as of one's reputation, to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
b.
a weakening, as of one's principles
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈcomproˌmised or ˈcomproˌmising
5.
to settle or adjust by concessions on both sides
6.
to lay open to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
7.
to weaken or give up (one's principles, ideals, etc.) as for reasons of expediency
8. Medicine
to weaken or otherwise impair
drugs that compromised his immune system
verb intransitive
9.
to make a compromise or compromises
Derived forms
compromiser (ˈcomproˌmiser)
noun
Word origin
ME & OFr compromis < LL compromissum, a compromise, mutual promise < L compromissus, pp. of compromittere, to make a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision < com-, together + promittere, to promise
COBUILD Collocations
compromise
reasonable compromise
sensible compromise
Examples of 'compromise' in a sentence
compromise
You can make a compromise that allows the partnership to run more smoothly.
The Sun (2016)
The brinkmanship may go on for years unless a compromise is reached.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
About a third of the deals involved a compromise agreement.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
How can we reach a compromise?
The Sun (2017)
You'll also have to compromise on the pool.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's smart to make a compromise to get home plans moving.
The Sun (2016)
They announced a'fair' compromise after two days of legal wrangling.
The Sun (2016)
I think she really said'no compromise '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There have been times when it has seemed weary of the compromises of coalition government.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They chose to go with their convictions rather than compromise.
Christianity Today (2000)
You are smart enough to reach a compromise that makes a big difference to your love life.
The Sun (2009)
There was no indication that any were given to compromise.
Frank Welsh THE FOUR NATIONS: A History of the United Kingdom (2002)
There is no room for compromise between the two sides.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We will not compromise or accept negotiation.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We have a compromise agreement in place that just covers his resignation from this job.
The Sun (2007)
The integrity of this well was also not compromised.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What was it like to live with moral compromise?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Until you know who is doing that you are in a compromising position.
The Sun (2010)
These organisations are almost certainly oblivious to the compromised situation in which they find themselves.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Zurich is said to be determined to find a compromise.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It may be the birth of a new era of consensus and compromise government.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Love-wise you can make a small compromise that keeps a partnership strong.
The Sun (2014)
Tell her you want to save your marriage and try to reach a compromise.
The Sun (2009)
It is not possible to publish redacted full reports without compromising these two imperatives.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The only area in which no compromise should be accepted is that of safety.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was a compromise agreement to keep legal costs low.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Are you seriously saying we would compromise our integrity for the sake of a trip to a hotel?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Mercury is at work in your compromise zone so give a little to gain a lot at work.
The Sun (2012)
Meanwhile, one in five brides would borrow cash rather than compromise on their dream day.
The Sun (2015)
Quotations
If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain
In other languages
compromise
British English: compromise /ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz/ NOUN
A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want.
Encourage your child to reach a compromise between what he wants and what you want.
American English: compromise
Arabic: تَسْوِية
Brazilian Portuguese: compromisso
Chinese: 妥协
Croatian: kompromis
Czech: kompromis
Danish: kompromis
Dutch: compromis
European Spanish: compromiso obligación
Finnish: kompromissi
French: compromis
German: Kompromiss
Greek: συμβιβασμός
Italian: compromesso
Japanese: 妥協
Korean: 타협
Norwegian: kompromiss
Polish: kompromis
European Portuguese: compromisso
Romanian: compromis
Russian: соглашение на основе взаимных уступок
Latin American Spanish: compromiso
Swedish: kompromiss
Thai: การประนีประนอม
Turkish: ödün
Ukrainian: компроміс
Vietnamese: sự thỏa hiệp
British English: compromise /ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz/ VERB
If you compromise with someone, you reach an agreement with them in which you both give up something that you originally wanted. You can also say that two people or groups compromise.
The government has compromised with its critics over monetary policies.
American English: compromise
Arabic: يُسَوِّي بِحَلٍّ وَسَط
Brazilian Portuguese: acordar
Chinese: 妥协
Croatian: postići kompromis
Czech: dohodnout se učinit kompromis
Danish: kompromittere
Dutch: compromis sluiten
European Spanish: transigir
Finnish: tehdä kompromissi
French: compromettre
German: einen Kompromiss schließen
Greek: συμβιβάζομαι
Italian: transigere
Japanese: 妥協する
Korean: 타협하다
Norwegian: gå på akkord med
Polish: pójść na kompromis
European Portuguese: entrar em acordo
Romanian: a ajunge la un compromis
Russian: пойти на компромисс
Latin American Spanish: transigir
Swedish: kompromissa
Thai: ประนีประนอม
Turkish: ödün vermek
Ukrainian: доходити компромісу
Vietnamese: thỏa hiệp
All related terms of 'compromise'
compromise agreement
An agreement is a formal decision about future action which is made by two or more countries, groups, or people.
compromise solution
a solution to a problem reached by compromise
Crittenden Compromise
a series of constitutional amendments proposed in Congress in 1860 to serve as a compromise between proslavery and antislavery factions , one of which would have permitted slavery in the territories south but not north of latitude 36°30′N
reasonable compromise
A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want , because of circumstances or because they are considering the wishes of other people.
sensible compromise
A compromise is a situation in which people accept something slightly different from what they really want , because of circumstances or because they are considering the wishes of other people.
Chinese translation of 'compromise'
compromise
(ˈkɔmprəmaɪz)
n(c/u)
妥协(協) (tuǒxié)
vi
妥协(協) (tuǒxié)
vt
[beliefs, principles]损(損)害 (sǔnhài)
cpd
[decision, solution]折中 (zhézhōng)
to compromise with sb与(與)某人妥协(協) (yǔ mǒurén tuǒxié)
(noun)
Definition
settlement of a dispute by concessions on each side
Be willing to make compromises between what your friend wants and what you want.
Synonyms
give-and-take
a happy relationship where there's a lot of give-and-take
agreement
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
settlement
Our objective must be to secure a peace settlement.
accommodation
Religions have to make accommodations with larger political structures.
concession
We had to make sweeping concessions in order to reach a settlement.
adjustment
trade-off
middle ground
half measures
Opposites
difference
,
dispute
,
controversy
,
disagreement
,
contention
,
quarrel
1 (verb)
Definition
to settle (a dispute) by making concessions
I don't think we can compromise on fundamental principles.
Synonyms
meet halfway
concede
make concessions
give and take
strike a balance
strike a happy medium
go fifty-fifty (informal)
Opposites
argue
, contest,
differ
,
disagree
2 (verb)
Definition
to put (oneself or another person) in a dishonourable position
He had compromised himself by accepting the money.
Synonyms
undermine
They are accused of trying to undermine the government.
expose
embarrass
weaken
Her opponents believe that her authority has been fatally weakened.
prejudice
endanger
This debate could endanger the peace talks.
discredit
implicate
He didn't find anything in the notebooks to implicate her.
jeopardize
The talks may still be jeopardized by disputes.
dishonour
imperil
You imperilled the lives of other road users with your driving.
Opposites
support
,
boost
,
assure
,
enhance
proverb
If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accommodation
Religions have to make accommodations with larger political structures.
Synonyms
adaptation,
change,
fitting,
settlement,
compromise,
harmony,
composition,
adjustment,
transformation,
reconciliation,
compliance,
modification,
alteration,
conformity,
makeover
in the sense of agreement
Definition
the act or state of agreeing
The talks ended in acrimony rather than agreement.
Synonyms
concurrence,
harmony,
compliance,
union,
agreeing,
concession,
consent,
unison,
assent,
concord,
acquiescence
in the sense of concession
Definition
something conceded
We had to make sweeping concessions in order to reach a settlement.