What does compromise mean?
Definitions for compromise
ˈkɒm prəˌmaɪzcom·pro·mise
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word compromise.
Princeton's WordNet
compromise, via medianoun
a middle way between two extremes
compromiseverb
an accommodation in which both sides make concessions
"the newly elected congressmen rejected a compromise because they considered it `business as usual'"
compromiseverb
make a compromise; arrive at a compromise
"nobody will get everything he wants; we all must compromise"
compromiseverb
settle by concession
compromiseverb
expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
"The nuclear secrets of the state were compromised by the spy"
Wiktionary
compromisenoun
The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
compromisenoun
A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right.
compromiseverb
To bind by mutual agreement.
compromiseverb
To find a way between extremes.
compromiseverb
To cause impairment of.
compromiseverb
To breach a security system.
Samuel Johnson's Dictionary
COMPROMISEnoun
1.Compromise is a mutual promise of two or more parties at difference, to refer the ending of their controversies to the arbitrement or equity of one or more arbitrators. John Cowell
Etymology: compromissum, Latin.
Wars have not wasted it; for warr’d he hath not;
But basely yielded, upon compromise,
That which his ancestors atchiev’d with blows. William Shakespeare, Rich. II.To Compromiseverb
Etymology: from the noun.
Laban and himself were compromis’d,
That all the yearlings, which were streak’d and pied,
Should fall as Jacob’s hire. William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice.
Wikipedia
Compromise
To compromise is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal or desires. Defining and finding the best possible compromise is an important problem in fields like game theory and the voting system. Research has indicated that suboptimal compromises are often the result of negotiators failing to realize when they have interests that are completely compatible with those of the other party and settle for suboptimal agreements. Mutually better outcomes can often be found by careful investigation of both parties' interests, especially if done early in negotiations.The compromise solution of a multicriteria decision making or multi-criteria decision analysis problem that is the closest to the ideal could be determined by the VIKOR method, which provides a maximum utility of the majority, and a minimum individual regret of the opponent.
ChatGPT
Compromise
Compromise refers to the process of reaching an agreement or settlement through mutual concessions and negotiation, where all involved parties agree to give up certain demands or expectations in order to find a middle ground that satisfies everyone to some extent. It often involves finding a balance or solution that is acceptable to all parties involved, resulting in a resolution that may not fully meet the ideal desires of any individual or group, but allows for some level of satisfaction and collaboration.
Webster Dictionary
Compromisenoun
a mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators
Compromisenoun
a settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement
Compromisenoun
a committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right
Compromisenoun
to bind by mutual agreement; to agree
Compromisenoun
to adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound
Compromisenoun
to pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion
Compromiseverb
to agree; to accord
Compromiseverb
to make concession for conciliation and peace
Etymology: [From Compromise, n.; cf. Compromit.]
Wikidata
Compromise
To compromise is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal or desire. Extremism is often considered as antonym to compromise, which, depending on context, may be associated with concepts of balance and tolerance. In the negative connotation, compromise may be referred to as capitulation, referring to a "surrender" of objectives, principles, or material, in the process of negotiating an agreement. In human relationships "compromise" is frequently said to be an agreement that no party is happy with, this is because the parties involved often feel that they either gave away too much or that they received too little.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Compromise
kom′prō-mīz, n. a settlement of differences by mutual concession, adjustment of one's theories or principles.—v.t. to settle by mutual agreement and concession: to pledge: to involve or bring into question—to expose one's self to risk of danger or misunderstanding.—p.adj. Com′promised, exposed to danger or discredit. [Fr. compromis—L. compromittĕre, -missum—com, together, promittĕre, to promise.]
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
compromise
The known or suspected exposure of clandestine personnel, installations, or other assets or of classified information or material, to an unauthorized person.
Dictionary of Nautical Terms
compromise
The mutual agreement of a party or parties at difference, to refer to arbitration, or make an end of the matter.
British National Corpus
Nouns Frequency
Rank popularity for the word 'compromise' in Nouns Frequency: #1933
Usage in printed sourcesFrom:
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Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of compromise in Chaldean Numerology is: 8
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of compromise in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9
Examples of compromise in a Sentence
I do not want immigration reform to fail. I want immigration reform to pass, and so I would urge people of good faith from both sides of the aisle that if the objective is to pass common sense immigration reform that secures the borders, that improves legal immigration and that allows those who are here illegally to come in out of the shadows, then we should look for areas of bipartisan agreement and compromise to come together.
Marriage is the best compromise between nature and culture.
Our job involves making sure that the policy of the United States is being driven by the national interest - not by any financial entanglement, financial leverage or other form of compromise.
The stakes are dire and extreme if she was to get elected, she would take our city horribly back. She would compromise our public safety. She would raise our taxes. She would attack other elected officials up and down the ballot. It would be a nightmare for every person in our community.
We made a compromise offer to Germany in December and I am convinced that a deal is within arm's reach between now and the end of March. With the European elections just a few months away, our citizens would find it incomprehensible if we gave up on this.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for compromise
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
- حل وسطArabic
- кампрамісBelarusian
- постигам компромис, търся компромис, компромис, компрометирамBulgarian
- kompromisCzech
- Kompromiss, kompromittieren, beeinträchtigen, AusgleichGerman
- συμβιβασμόςGreek
- kompromisoEsperanto
- comprometerse, compromiso, acuerdo, arregloSpanish
- sovitella, kompromissi, vahingoittaa, sopia, sovitteluratkaisu, rikkoa, murtaaFinnish
- compromettreFrench
- פשרהHebrew
- kiegyezés, kompromisszumHungarian
- compromesso, pattuire, compromettereItalian
- פשרהHebrew
- 和解, 妥協, 折衷Japanese
- 타협, 妥協Korean
- kompromissNorwegian
- compromis, compromitterenDutch
- kompromissNorwegian Nynorsk
- kompromisPolish
- acordo, meio-termo, compromissoPortuguese
- compromisRomanian
- компромисс, компрометировать, идтиRussian
- компромис, kompromisSerbo-Croatian
- kompromisSlovak
- kompromisSlovene
- kompromettera, kompromiss, dagtinga, kompromissa, komma överens, förhandlaSwedish
- ประนีประนอมThai
- ödün, tehlikeye atmak, anlaşmak, tâviz, ödün vermek, ara bulmak, uzlaşma, uzlaşmak, tâviz vermekTurkish
- компромісUkrainian
- thoả hiệp, sự, 妥協Vietnamese
- 妥协Chinese
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"compromise." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 13 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/compromise>.
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