compromise
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an agreement where two people or groups both give up something they wanted so they can agree.
n.a settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions to reach a common middle ground.
Simple“After hours of talking, they reached a compromise on the price of the car.”
In context“The final treaty was a delicate compromise that satisfied neither side completely but successfully averted a full-scale trade war.”
UsageOften used with the verbs 'reach', 'make', or 'strike'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
n.the act of giving up your principles or doing something you do not think is right.
n.a concession that is perceived as prejudicial or derogatory to one's principles, standards, or reputation.
Simple“He felt that taking the money was a compromise of his honesty.”
In context“The senator's supporters viewed the new policy as a moral compromise that betrayed the core values of the party.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to give up part of what you want so that you can agree with someone else.
v.to settle a dispute by mutual concession. Often used intransitively.
Simple“We were both tired of fighting, so we decided to compromise on where to go for dinner.”
In context“In a coalition government, parties must frequently compromise on their individual manifestos to maintain a functional legislative majority.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to put something in a dangerous or weak position by acting carelessly.
v.to expose to danger, suspicion, or disrepute; to weaken or damage the integrity of something.
Simple“If you don't wear a helmet, you compromise your safety while riding.”
In context“The leaked documents could compromise the safety of several undercover agents working abroad.”
SynonymsAntonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
v.to break into a computer system or find a way around security.
v.to gain unauthorized access to a computer system or network, resulting in a security breach.
Simple“Hackers managed to compromise the company's database and steal customer emails.”
In context“The IT department confirmed that the server had been compromised via a sophisticated phishing attack targeting senior executives.”
UsageUsually transitive, taking the system or network as the direct object.
“Turkiye was removed from the multinational F-35 programme in 2019 after taking delivery of the Russian-made S-400 air defence system, which Washington argued could compromise the stealth jet’s technology.”
“He called on both the ruling and opposition camps to seek greater compromise going forward.”
From Middle French compromis, from Medieval Latin, Late Latin compromissum (“a compromise, originally a mutual promise to refer to arbitration”), prop. neuter of Latin compromissus, past participle of compromittere (“to make a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter”), from com- (“together”) + promittere (“to promise”); see promise.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.