What does compromise mean?
Compromise refers to a settlement of a dispute in which each side gives up part of what it wants in order to reach an agreement both parties can accept. As a noun, it names both the act of settling and the intermediate position arrived at; as a verb, it means either to resolve differences through mutual concession or, in its darker sense, to weaken, endanger, or corrupt something — whether one's principles, a person's safety, or a computer system's security. The word carries broadly favourable connotations in diplomacy and everyday negotiation, where willingness to compromise signals maturity and good faith, yet it can also imply dilution or moral laxity, as when someone is said to have compromised their ideals. In modern technology and journalism, 'compromised' is the standard term for systems or accounts breached by attackers. Derived from a Latin root meaning to make a mutual promise, compromise remains one of English's most versatile words for the art of meeting in the middle.
An agreement or settlement reached when each side in a dispute makes concessions; also, an intermediate position or thing combining elements of opposing positions.
"Neither side got everything they wanted, but the compromise kept the coalition together."
Commonly used with verbs such as reach, strike, or accept.
To settle a difference by mutual concession; alternatively, to weaken, endanger, or bring into disrepute something such as one's principles, reputation, or a secure system.
"She refused to compromise her artistic vision for commercial success."
In security and computing contexts, 'compromise' specifically denotes unauthorized access or breach.
Standard regular plural; used when referring to multiple settlements or acts of concession.
"History records many compromises that postponed rather than resolved their conflicts."
The word 'compromise' comes from Latin 'promittere', 'to promise' — so every compromise is, at root, two people making a promise together.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of compromise
Compromise entered English in the early 15th century via Middle French from Late Latin compromissum, meaning 'an agreement to submit a dispute to arbitration'. This derives from the Latin verb promittere, 'to promise', formed from pro- ('forward') plus mittere ('to send, let go'). Its original sense concerned binding mutual promises between disputing parties, and over time it broadened from legal arbitration into any negotiated settlement involving mutual concession. It shares this root with words such as promise, mission, and missive, all ultimately descended from mittere.
How compromise is actually used
As a noun, 'compromise' is typically neutral to positive in negotiation contexts ('reach a compromise') but can carry negative connotation when describing diluted standards ('a compromise between quality and cost'). The verb has two distinct registers: neutral/diplomatic ('both sides compromised') and strongly negative ('the system was compromised'), where it implies breach, corruption, or loss of integrity. In computing and security contexts, 'compromise' is standard for unauthorized access. The plural is 'compromises'.
Easily confused with compromise
A concession is a single thing yielded by one party, while a compromise is the overall settlement built from concessions made by all parties.
'Comprise' means to consist of or be made up of parts, whereas 'compromise' means either a mutual settlement or an act that weakens security or principles — the two words share no meaning despite similar spelling.