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compromising
/ˈkɒmprəmaɪzɪŋ/
open to criticism or scandal
He was found in a compromising position with the CEO's wife.
He was in a situation that could damage his reputation or career.
formal
Open to criticism, scandal, or attack; damaging to one's reputation if revealed.
The photos were considered compromising evidence in the trial.
The photos could damage the defendant's reputation.
This is the most common adjectival use. It implies that the subject is vulnerable to being used against them.
Business
neutral
Willing to make concessions; seeking a mutually acceptable agreement.
She is known for her compromising attitude during negotiations.
She is willing to give up some demands to reach a deal.
Less common as an adjective; 'compromising' here describes a person's nature or approach. Often confused with 'compromised' (damaged).
Collocations
compromising positiona situation that could lead to scandal or damage reputationcompromising materialdocuments or images that could be used to blackmail or discredit someonein a compromising situationin a state where one's integrity or reputation is at risk
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Confusion Alert
Don't use 'compromising' to mean 'making a deal'. Use 'willing to compromise' instead. Use 'compromising' primarily when describing something that could cause scandal (e.g., 'compromising photos').
Gold Rule
Reputation Risk
If you can use 'damaging to reputation' as a substitution, 'compromising' is the correct adjective.
Word Origin
From Latin 'compromissum' (a mutual agreement), from 'compromittere' (to entrust mutually). The adjective 'compromising' evolved to mean 'open to attack' in the 17th century, derived from the idea of being bound by a mutual pledge that could be broken.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 'compromising' (adjective: damaging/scandalous) with 'compromised' (adjective: weakened/damaged integrity) or 'compromise' (verb/noun: to settle). 'Compromising' is rarely used to mean 'willing to negotiate' in modern speech; 'cooperative' or 'flexible' is preferred for that sense.
Word Breakdown
com-
together/mutually
prefixpromissum
promise/pledge
root-ing
present participle/adjective suffix
suffixEnglish Dictionary