Word
compromised
Phoneticscom·pro·mised, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑmpɹəˌmaɪzd/
UK/kˈɒmpɹəmˌaɪzd/
Definitions
01no longer safe
B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing Technical
adj. used to describe something that is no longer secure or has been damaged by a threat.
adj. describing a system, security measure, or physical structure that has been weakened or made vulnerable to attack or failure.
“The bank told its customers that their credit card details were compromised.”
“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.
Synonyms
02morally weakened
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having lost your reputation or standards because you did something dishonest or weak.
adj. having one's reputation, integrity, or principles damaged or brought into suspicion.
“The politician's reputation was compromised after the scandal became public.”
“The witness was considered compromised due to his previous business dealings with the defendant, making his testimony less credible to the jury.”
Teaching tip
This sense is common in political and legal contexts to describe someone who can no longer be trusted.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“If compromised, freeze your bank accounts immediately, change all your passwords, and report it to Scamwatch and police .” “The cameras, battery life, and performance aren’t as compromised as they were with past foldables, either.” “Therefore, when its levels are low, several essential bodily functions are compromised," he says.” “The data was scraped and exfiltrated from 2,500 users of a compromised AI package.” Etymology
From compromise + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/compromised