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
Synonyms
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
Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024
The Electoral College was established in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers as a compromise for the president being selected by Congress and by a popular vote from qualified citizens, according to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
But sometimes there’s a real empathy imbalance, with one party much more willing to compromise and listen than the other, and that’s the case here.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compromise 
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Noun
The Founding Fathers established the Electoral College in the Constitution as a compromise between the proposal of electing a president by a vote in Congress and electing the president by a popular vote.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr., The Enquirer, 6 Nov. 2024
The Electoral College was established in the Constitution by the Founding Fathers as a compromise for the president being selected by Congress and by a popular vote from qualified citizens, according to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
—Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Lillard, though, compromised the Bucks’ defense while hurting the team’s ability to add depth because of his $54 million salary.
—Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 10 Nov. 2024
But sometimes there’s a real empathy imbalance, with one party much more willing to compromise and listen than the other, and that’s the case here.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for compromise
Dictionary Entries Near compromise
Cite this Entry
“Compromise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compromise. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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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