compromise
KOM-pruh-myze
/ˈkɑːmprəmaɪz/
An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.
Compromise implies that neither side got exactly what they wanted, but both got enough to be satisfied.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'com-' (together) and 'promittere' (to promise). It originally meant a mutual promise to abide by the decision of an arbiter.
Word relationships
- concession: A concession is the specific thing you give up; a compromise is the overall agreement.
- intransigence: Intransigence is the refusal to change one's views or to agree about something.
Commonly confused with
- collaboration: Collaboration is working together to create something; compromise is giving something up to end a fight.
Word family
- uncompromising (adjective): Unwilling to make concessions.
Collocations
- reach a compromise
- spirit of compromise
- unwilling to compromise
Example sentences
- "Politics is the art of compromise, requiring leaders to balance competing interests." Politics
- "We had to compromise on the price to ensure the deal went through." Negotiation
Memory hook
Compromise: A 'promise' made 'com' (together). Compromise = Give and take.
When not to use
In engineering or security, 'compromise' means something has been weakened or broken (e.g., 'a compromised bridge').
Fun facts
- The 'Missouri Compromise' of 1820 was a major piece of U.S. legislation that attempted to balance the power between slave and free states.
Related words
Explore more words
concession, trade-off, settlement, negotiate, conciliation, concede
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