ENGLISH
REFERENCE

compromised

adj.
US //ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪzd// UK //kˈɒmpɹəmˌaɪzd// com·pro·mised
  1. 1 no longer safe (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    used to describe something that is no longer secure or has been damaged by a threat.

    describing a system, security measure, or physical structure that has been weakened or made vulnerable to attack or failure.

    Example

    The bank told its customers that their credit card details were compromised.

    Example

    The security breach left thousands of user accounts compromised, forcing the company to reset all passwords and implement two-factor authentication immediately.

    Usage

    Often used in the context of digital security or structural integrity.

  2. 2 morally weakened (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    having lost your reputation or standards because you did something dishonest or weak.

    having one's reputation, integrity, or principles damaged or brought into suspicion.

    Example

    The politician's reputation was compromised after the scandal became public.

    Example

    The witness was considered compromised due to his previous business dealings with the defendant, making his testimony less credible to the jury.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is common in political and legal contexts to describe someone who can no longer be trusted.

Origin

From compromise + -ed.

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