compromise

[ kom-pruh-mahyz ]

/ ˈkɒm prəˌmaɪz /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR compromise ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.

the result of such a settlement.

something intermediate between different things: The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.

an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.: a compromise of one's integrity.

verb (used with object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

to settle by a compromise.

to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.; jeopardize: a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses.

Obsolete.

to bind by bargain or agreement.
to bring to terms.

verb (used without object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

to make a compromise or compromises: The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.

to make a dishonorable or shameful concession: He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.

Origin of compromise

1400–50; late Middle English < Anglo-French compromisse, Middle French compromis < Latin comprōmissum. See com-, promise

OTHER WORDS FROM compromise

com·pro·mis·er, noun com·pro·mis·ing·ly, adverb com·prom·is·sa·ry

[kom-prom-uh-ser-ee] /kɒmˈprɒm əˌsɛr i/, adjective non·com·pro·mis·ing, adjective

pro·com·pro·mise, adjective qua·si-com·pro·mis·ing, adjective qua·si-com·pro·mis·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby compromise

compressor, comprimario, comprise, comprize, compromis, compromise, compromise joint, compromise of 1850, compromise rail, compromised, compsognathus

Example sentences from the Web for compromising

They decided to get rid of the compromising objects immediately.

Did Picasso Try to Steal the Mona Lisa? |Nick Mafi |October 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
We've walked in on Jenny and Kevin in compromising sexual positions before.

The MVPs of Sleaze Are Back: FXX's 'The League' Ups the Degenerate Ante |Emily Shire |September 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But religions and ideologies are the opposite of flexible and compromising.

Liberals Need to Learn to Say No |Bernhard Schlink |July 10, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Even if the Court does settle on a compromising solution, it may not matter much—at least for smart crooks and smart cops.

Can Government Call the Shots on Cellphone Privacy? |Aziz Huq |April 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

His most recent book on Sudan is Compromising With Evil: An archival history of greater Sudan, 2007 – 2012.

Preventing Genocide In South Sudan |Eric Reeves, John Prendergast |April 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
We will not enumerate all the methods of compromising oneself, for we might become personal.

The Petty Troubles of Married Life, Complete |Honore de Balzac
There was nothing for it but to break up the horde piece by piece and lose the compromising gems in unrecognizable fragments.

Out of the Ashes |Ethel Watts Mumford
The same principle, carried out, might prove it would be easier to buy off pickpockets by compromising than to punish them.

The Chainbearer |J. Fenimore Cooper
Even then an attempt was made to get hold of all compromising papers and letters.

Europe in the Sixteenth Century 1494-1598, Fifth Edition |A. H. (Arthur Henry) Johnson
There is in the city a respectable jeweller, who will advance money on any compromising letter with a good name at the foot.

Caught In The Net |Emile Gaboriau

British Dictionary definitions for compromising

compromise

/ (ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz) /

noun

settlement of a dispute by concessions on both or all sides

the terms of such a settlement

something midway between two or more different things

an exposure of one's good name, reputation, etc, to injury

verb

to settle (a dispute) by making concessions

(tr) to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute

(tr) to prejudice unfavourably; weaken his behaviour compromised his chances

(tr) obsolete to pledge mutually

Derived forms of compromise

compromiser, noun compromisingly, adverb

Word Origin for compromise

C15: from Old French compromis, from Latin comprōmissum mutual agreement to accept the decision of an arbiter, from comprōmittere, from prōmittere to promise

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

compromise

noun

verb (used with object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

verb (used without object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

Origin of compromise

OTHER WORDS FROM compromise

Words nearby compromise

Example sentences from the Web for compromising

British Dictionary definitions for compromising

noun

verb

Derived forms of compromise

Word Origin for compromise

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

compromise

noun

verb (used with object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

verb (used without object), com·pro·mised, com·pro·mis·ing.

Origin of compromise

OTHER WORDS FROM compromise

Words nearby compromise

Words related to compromising

Example sentences from the Web for compromising

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for compromising

noun

verb

Derived forms of compromise

Word Origin for compromise

British Dictionary definitions for compromising