Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
compromising /ˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ/ adj damaging to a person's reputation ˈcomproˌmisingly adv
com•pro•mise /ˈkɑmprəˌmaɪz/USA pronunciation
n., v., -mised, -mis•ing.
n.
v.
com•pro•mis•ing, adj.: a compromising situation.
com•pro•mis•ing•ly, adv. See -mis-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026n.
- [uncountable] the settlement of differences between two parties in which both sides give up something.
- [countable] the result of such a settlement.
- [countable] something intermediate or midway between two different things.
v.
- to make a compromise or compromises:[no object]Both sides managed to compromise in order to settle the strike.
- [~ + object] to expose to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.;
jeopardize: Faulty building construction compromises our safety. - to adjust or surrender (one's principles) dishonorably: [no object;
(~ + with + object )]How could he compromise with his principles like that?[~ + object]compromised his beliefs when he failed to support her.
com•pro•mis•ing, adj.: a compromising situation.
com•pro•mis•ing•ly, adv. See -mis-.
com•pro•mise
(kom′prə mīz′),USA pronunciation n., v., -mised, -mis•ing.
n.
v.t.
v.i.
com′pro•mis′er, n.
com′pro•mis′ing•ly, adv.
com•prom•is•sa•ry
(kom prom′ə ser′ē),USA pronunciation adj.
n.
- a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.
- the result of such a settlement.
- something intermediate between different things:The split-level is a compromise between a ranch house and a multistoried house.
- an endangering, esp. of reputation;
exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.:a compromise of one's integrity.
v.t.
- to settle by a compromise.
- to expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, scandal, etc.;
jeopardize:a military oversight that compromised the nation's defenses. - [Obs.]
- to bind by bargain or agreement.
- to bring to terms.
v.i.
- to make a compromise or compromises:The conflicting parties agreed to compromise.
- to make a dishonorable or shameful concession:He is too honorable to compromise with his principles.
- Latin comprōmissum. See com-, promise
- Anglo-French compromisse, Middle French compromis
- late Middle English 1400–50
com′pro•mis′ing•ly, adv.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
compromise /ˈkɒmprəˌmaɪz/ n
- the settlement of a dispute by concessions on both or all sides
- the terms of such a settlement
- something midway between two or more different things
- to settle (a dispute) by making concessions
- (transitive) to expose (a person or persons) to disrepute
'compromising' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
entanglement
- honeytrap
- badger game
- bitterender
- entrap
- limb
- mealy-mouthed
- proturan
- quasi-compromising
- uncompromising