compromise
compromise Lexical Profile
compromise Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.
"After hours of negotiation, the two parties finally reached a mutually acceptable compromise."
An intermediate state between conflicting alternatives reached by mutual blending of qualities.
"The new hybrid model is an ideal compromise between fuel efficiency and high performance."
The expedient acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable, or the weakening or exposure of something such as security or immunity.
"The investigation revealed a serious compromise of the company's internal data network."
• verb
To settle a dispute by mutual concession.
"If neither committee member is willing to compromise, the bill will never pass."
To expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable, or to weaken or harm by making concessions (of principles, quality, or integrity).
"She refused to compromise her journalistic ethics for the sake of a sensational story."
To bring into disrepute, danger, or vulnerability by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behavior (or by a security breach or physiological impairment).
"Sharing your password can severely compromise the security of the entire server."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Compromise' carries a dual connotation: in negotiation contexts, it is positive or neutral (reaching mutual agreement), whereas as a transitive verb taking a standard, principle, or system as its object (e.g., 'compromise one's integrity' or 'compromise security'), it is distinctly negative, meaning to weaken, expose, or dishonor.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 15th century from Old French 'compromis', from Late Latin 'compromissum' ('a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision'), from 'com-' ('together') and 'promittere' ('to promise').