compromise

UK: /ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/ US: /ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/ ,(kom′prə mīz′)

Inflections of 'compromise' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

compromises

v 3rd person singular

compromising

v pres p

compromised

v past

compromised

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pro•mise /ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/   n., v., -mised, -mis•ing. 
n. 

1. [uncountable] the settlement of differences between two parties in which both sides give up something.
2. [countable] the result of such a settlement.
3. [countable] something intermediate or midway between two different things.

v. 

4. to make a compromise or compromises:
   [no object] Both sides managed to compromise in order to settle the strike.
5. [~ + object] to expose to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.;
   jeopardize:
   Faulty building construction compromises our safety.
6. to adjust or surrender (one's principles) dishonorably: [no object; (~ + with + object )]
   How could he compromise with his principles like that?
   [~ + object]
   compromised his beliefs when he failed to support her.

com•pro•mis•er, n. [countable]
com•pro•mis•ing, adj.: 

a compromising situation.

com•pro•mis•ing•ly, adv. See -mis-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•pro•mise  (kom′prə mīz′), n., v., -mised, -mis•ing. 
n. 

1. a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.
2. the result of such a settlement.
3. something intermediate between different things:
   The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.
4. an endangering, esp. of reputation;
   exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.:
   a compromise of one's integrity.

v.t. 

5. to settle by a compromise.
6. to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.;
   jeopardize:
   a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses.
7. [Obs.]
   • to bind by bargain or agreement.
   • to bring to terms.

v.i. 

8. to make a compromise or compromises:
   The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.
9. to make a dishonorable or shameful concession:
   He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.

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

com′pro•mis′er, n. 
com′pro•mis′ing•ly, adv. 
com•prom•is•sa•ry  (kom prom′ə ser′ē), adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

compromise / 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

verb

1. to settle (a dispute) by making concessions
2. (transitive) to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French compromis, from Latin comprōmissum mutual agreement to accept the decision of an arbiter, from comprōmittere, from prōmittere to promise

ˈcomproˌmiser noun