noun / verb
compromise
A weakening or endangering of something valuable.
Sharing your password can compromise the security of your account.
Etymology
The Latin source concerns a mutual promise to settle a dispute. From making concessions, compromise developed the sense of surrendering safeguards or standards and thereby weakening something.
More examples
- The breach results in a serious compromise of patient privacy.
- Skipping these checks compromises the accuracy of the results.
- The damaged seal has compromised the food's freshness.
Forms
compromise · compromises · compromised · compromising
Similar words
- endanger
- Emphasizes exposure to danger rather than actual damage.
- weaken
- Specifically means reducing strength, effectiveness, or resistance to harm.
- undermine
- Suggests damage that gradually erodes strength, confidence, or authority.