compromise

1.nounB1

Definition

a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something important in order to reach a shared solution

Example

Valentina and Min reached a compromise about how to share the office space.

collocation: reach a compromise

After three hours of difficult talks, the two companies finally agreed on a compromise.

Common collocations

reach a compromise
work out a compromise
accept a compromise
compromise agreement
compromise proposal

Synonyms

agreement
broader term; a compromise is a type of agreement, but not all agreements involve giving things up
settlement
more formal, often legal; focuses on ending a dispute rather than the process of giving ground
concession
one-sided giving up; not a mutual arrangement like a compromise
middle ground
describes the resulting position; less formal than 'compromise'

Antonyms

disagreement
the state that a compromise is meant to resolve
deadlock
a situation where neither side will give up anything

Grammar Patterns

reach a compromise (on sth)

compromise between [two sides]

Usage Note

Commonly used with the verbs 'reach', 'work out', 'find', and 'accept'. The uncountable form (e.g. 'by compromise') describes the method of settling a dispute rather than a specific deal.

Common Mistakes

We made a compromise even though we still disagreed.

We reached a compromise that both sides could accept.

The standard verb partner with 'compromise' as a noun is 'reach', 'work out', or 'find', not 'make'.

The compromise between the two cakes was chocolate.

The compromise between the two recipes was a cake that used elements of both.

A compromise is a mutual concession, not a simple mixture.

2.nounB2

Definition

something that combines features from two different things or positions, creating a result that falls somewhere between them

Example

The new sofa is a compromise between modern style and old-fashioned comfort.

pattern: a compromise between X and Y

Tamás chose a compromise that blended traditional wooden furniture with clean modern lines.

Common collocations

a compromise between
a happy compromise
an acceptable compromise

Synonyms

middle ground
nearly interchangeable; slightly less concrete about the blend of features
halfway point
focuses on position between extremes rather than combined qualities
balance
emphasises equal weighting rather than a single blended outcome

Antonyms

extreme
a position at one end, not between two things

Grammar Patterns

a compromise between [sth] and [sth]

Usage Note

This sense is usually singular and appears in the pattern 'a compromise between X and Y'. It focuses on the resulting blend rather than the process of negotiation.

Common Mistakes

The colour grey is a compromise between white and black.

Grey is a compromise between white and black in terms of brightness.

Without specifying what is being blended, the sentence is too vague for this sense.

1.verbintransitiveB1

Definition

to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with someone else

Example

After weeks of disagreement, the neighbours finally compromised on the height of the new fence.

pattern: compromise on + issue

Ilan refused to compromise on safety, even when the deadline was very tight.

pattern: refuse to compromise on + principle

Common collocations

compromise on
compromise with
compromise over
refuse to compromise
be willing to compromise

Synonyms

give ground
more informal; focuses on conceding rather than the mutual outcome
meet halfway
implies equal movement from both sides; more conversational
negotiate
broader process; negotiating does not always require giving things up

Antonyms

insist
to refuse to change your position
stand firm
to refuse to give up anything

Grammar Patterns

compromise + on + [issue]

compromise + with + [person/group]

compromise + over + [matter]

Usage Note

Intransitive. The issue being negotiated goes after 'on' (e.g. 'compromise on the price'), while the other party goes after 'with' (e.g. 'compromise with the buyer'). Both patterns can appear together.

Common Mistakes

I compromised to go to the party even though I was tired.

Karim compromised by agreeing to stay for two hours.

The act of compromise requires a clear mutual exchange; doing something reluctantly is not the same as compromising.

She compromised on her principles.

She compromised her principles.' (verb sense 2)

With 'on', the verb means negotiating an issue. When the object is a personal value, use the transitive sense without 'on'.

2.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally uphold

Example

Dahlia refused to compromise her principles by signing a contract she did not trust.

collocation: compromise one's principles

The journalist compromised his reputation by publishing a story that he had not checked.

Common collocations

compromise one's principles
compromise one's standards
compromise one's values
compromise one's integrity

Synonyms

lower
more direct; less charged with moral judgment
weaken
emphasises reducing the strength of personal standards
betray
stronger and more negative; implies active disloyalty to one's values

Antonyms

uphold
to maintain your principles firmly
stick to
informal; to refuse to change your standards

Grammar Patterns

compromise + [principles/standards/values/beliefs]

Usage Note

Transitive, taking an abstract object such as 'principles', 'standards', 'values', or 'integrity'. Unlike verb sense 1, this sense cannot take 'on' — you compromise your principles, not 'on your principles'.

Common Mistakes

I compromised my clothes by wearing jeans to a formal dinner.

I compromised my professional standards by accepting money for a biased review.

This sense is limited to moral or professional standards, not everyday choices about appearance or preference.

3.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of harm or damage

Example

A weak password can compromise the security of an entire computer system.

collocation: compromise security

The hospital's computer network was compromised by a virus that leaked patient data.

passive: be compromised by + [threat]

Common collocations

compromise security
compromise safety
compromise health
compromise data
compromise integrity (system)

Synonyms

endanger
stronger emotional tone; implies immediate threat to life or safety
weaken
less formal; focuses on reduced effectiveness rather than exposure to risk
jeopardize
slightly more formal; used for plans, chances, or relationships
undermine
gradual damage from below; less about immediate risk

Antonyms

protect
to keep something safe from harm
safeguard
formal; to take active steps to prevent harm

Grammar Patterns

compromise + [security/safety/reputation/health]

be compromised by + [sth]

Usage Note

Frequently used in the passive voice (e.g. 'The system was compromised'). Common in computing (security breaches), medicine (health outcomes), and safety contexts. The object is almost always something that can deteriorate or be damaged, not a thing that can be broken physically.

Common Mistakes

The rain compromised our picnic.

Using the same password for every account could compromise your online security.

This sense applies to risks that affect safety, integrity, or health, not ordinary inconveniences.

The weak bridge was compromised.

The weak structure of the bridge compromised the safety of everyone who crossed it.

'Compromised' alone as an adjective often needs context about what was put at risk.

Word family

compromising
adjectiveB2
uncompromising
adjectiveC1
uncompromisingly
adverbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve resolving disagreements, but they differ in how much each side gives up. 'Compromise' implies that both sides move from their original positions — each gives up something to reach a shared outcome ('the neighbours compromised on the fence height'). 'Negotiate' is the broadest term: it covers any discussion aimed at reaching agreement, even if neither side makes any concessions during the process. 'Concede' is one-sided — one party gives ground while the other does not ('the losing candidate conceded the election'). 'Settle' focuses on finality: a matter is resolved, but the resolution may come through compromise, a court ruling, or one side simply giving up ('they settled the dispute out of court'). A helpful rule: if both sides walked away unhappy with what they gave up, it was probably a compromise. If only one side gave ground, it was a concession or a settlement imposed by circumstances.

compromise ↗negotiate ↗concede ↗settle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

reach a compromise
work out a compromise
find a compromise
offer a compromise
reject a compromise

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Compromise' comes from the Latin 'compromissum', meaning 'a mutual promise to abide by an arbitrator's decision'. It was formed from 'com-' (together) and 'promittere' (to promise). The word entered English through Old French 'compromis' in the 15th century, originally referring to a formal agreement to settle a dispute by arbitration. Over time the meaning broadened from a legal procedure to any arrangement where both sides give up something. The verb sense of 'to expose to risk' developed in the late 18th century.

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compromise

compromise — noun

1. a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something import

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. something that combines features from two different things or positions, creatin

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

compromise — verb

1. to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with som

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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