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   Com·pro·mise

   /ˈkämprəˌmīz/

   

   noun

   • 1. an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions: "an ability to listen to two sides in a dispute, and devise a compromise acceptable to both" Similar agreementunderstandingsettlementtermsaccommodationdealtrade-offbargainhalfway housemiddle groundmiddle coursehappy mediumbalancemodus vivendigive and takeconcessioncooperationOpposite intransigence
   • ▪ a middle state between conflicting opinions or actions reached by mutual concession or modification: "a compromise between commercial appeal and historical interest"
   • ▪ the acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable: "sexism should be tackled without compromise"

   verb

   • 1. settle a dispute by mutual concession: "in the end we compromised and deferred the issue" Similar meet each other halfwayfind the middle groundcome to termscome to an understandingmake a dealmake concessionsfind a happy mediumstrike a balancegive and takeinformal:split the difference
   • ▪ settle (a dispute) by mutual concession: archaic "I should compromise the matter with my father"
   • 2. accept standards that are lower than is desirable: "we were not prepared to compromise on safety"
   • ▪ weaken (a reputation or principle) by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable: "commercial pressures could compromise safety" Similar undermineweakenbe detrimental todamageinjureharmdo harm toprejudicebe prejudicial tojeopardizeendangerimperilbring into disreputereflect badly onput in a bad lightdiscreditdishonorbring shame toshameembarrass
   • 3. bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behavior: "situations in which his troops could be compromised"
   • ▪ cause to become vulnerable or function less effectively: "yo-yo dieting can compromise your immune system"

   Word Origin late Middle English (denoting mutual consent to arbitration): from Old French compromis, from late Latin compromissum ‘a consent to arbitration’, neuter past participle of compromittere, from com- ‘together’ + promittere (see promise).

   Derivatives

   • 1. compromiser noun

   Scrabble Points: 18

   • C

     3

   • O

     1

   • M

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   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • O

     1

   • M

     3

   • I

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   • S

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   • E

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