compromising
compromising Lexical Profile
compromising Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Revealing an embarrassing, indiscreet, or incriminating secret or situation that damages someone's reputation.
"The investigative journalist uncovered several compromising documents that linked the official to the scandal."
Willing to make concessions or reach a middle ground in order to settle a dispute.
"Both negotiators adopted a more compromising attitude during the final round of talks."
Word Nuance & Usage
While the verb 'compromise' often carries a positive sense of mutual cooperation, the adjective 'compromising' is used predominantly in a negative sense (as in 'a compromising position' or 'compromising evidence') to mean incriminating or embarrassing.
• Rhymes for compromising
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed from the verb 'compromise', which entered Middle English via Old French from Latin 'compromissum' ('a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter's decision'), combining 'com-' ('together') and 'promittere' ('to promise').