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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Negotiation & Summit Language

Compromise

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈkɒmprəmaɪz/nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, compromise means: An agreement in which each side gives up part of what it wanted so that both can accept the result; the same word is a verb meaning to reach such an agreement.

In Turkish: uzlaşma, orta yol

How it is used

Negotiators 'look for', 'reach', 'propose' or 'accept' a compromise, and a chair or mediator often drafts a 'compromise text'. As a verb, 'compromise on' something means to meet the other side halfway.

Example sentences

  1. After long talks, the ministers reached a compromise on the timetable.

  2. The chair circulated a compromise text on Thursday morning.

  3. Neither side was willing to compromise on the main issue.

Common collocations

  • reach a compromise
  • compromise text
  • compromise proposal
  • compromise on
  • find a compromise
  • concessionSomething that one side in a negotiation agrees to give up or accept in order to move closer to an agreement with the other side.
  • consensusGeneral agreement among all participants, often reached without a formal vote because no one objects to a proposal.
  • negotiationFormal discussion between parties who are trying to reach an agreement, in which each side presents its position, makes proposals and may accept compromises.
  • common groundOpinions, interests or aims that two or more sides share, which can serve as a starting point for agreement.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Negotiation & Summit Language

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