compromise
compromise — noun
1. a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something import
a situation where opposing sides in a disagreement each give up something important in order to reach a shared solution
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.
The compromise between the political parties ended the long debate over the new law.
Zola's parents and teachers worked out a compromise that let her study at home twice a week.
The neighbourhood association and the park district accepted the compromise, clearing the way for the playground repairs to begin.
- 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'
- disagreement
the state that a compromise is meant to resolve
- deadlock
a situation where neither side will give up anything
文法句型
reach a compromise (on sth)
compromise between [two sides]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. something that combines features from two different things or positions, creatin
something that combines features from two different things or positions, creating a result that falls somewhere between them
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.
The restaurant menu offered a compromise between spicy Szechuan dishes and milder Cantonese food.
Christopher's chair was a compromise between a desk seat and a lounge chair.
- 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
- extreme
a position at one end, not between two things
文法句型
a compromise between [sth] and [sth]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
compromise — verb
1. to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with som
to give up part of what you want so that a disagreement can be resolved with someone else
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
The two leaders compromised by agreeing to share control of the disputed area.
The design team and the marketing department compromised on the project timeline by extending the deadline by two weeks.
Management was willing to compromise with the union over working hours.
- 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
- insist
to refuse to change your position
- stand firm
to refuse to give up anything
文法句型
compromise + on + [issue]
compromise + with + [person/group]
compromise + over + [matter]
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally
to lower your moral or professional standards below the level you would normally uphold
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.
Vikram compromised his values by working for a company whose products he disliked.
Karim knew that lying on the application form would compromise his commitment to honesty.
文法句型
compromise + [principles/standards/values/beliefs]
用法筆記
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'.
常見錯誤
3. to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of
to place something valuable, such as security, health, or reputation, at risk of harm or damage
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]
Ziad's careless words compromised the team's chances of winning the final match.
Élise warned that the new road would compromise the safety of children walking to school.
Delaying treatment could compromise the patient's recovery after the serious operation.
- 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
文法句型
compromise + [security/safety/reputation/health]
be compromised by + [sth]
用法筆記
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.