Exploring the Art of Compromise
This video explores the concept of compromise, a crucial skill for both life and the GRE. Learn the meaning of compromise as a noun and verb, its synonyms and antonyms, and how to use it correctly. Discover how understanding compromise is essential for decision-making, negotiations, and conflict resolution, both in everyday situations and on the GRE exam.
Imagine you’re planning a trip with friends. One wants to go to the beach, another prefers the mountains.
How do you resolve this? You compromise. Today, we’re exploring the word compromise, a crucial concept for both life and the GRE.
Word type: Compromise can function as both a noun and a verb.
Meaning: As a noun, compromise refers to an agreement reached by each side making concessions.
As a verb, it means to settle a dispute by mutual concession, or to expose someone or something to risk by making concessions.
Word history: Compromise comes from the Latin compromissum, meaning a mutual promise to abide by an arbiter’s decision.
It entered English in the fifteenth century, originally referring to an agreement that adversaries would abide by an arbiter’s decision.
Synonyms: Some synonyms for compromise include concession, middle ground, settlement, and trade-off.
Antonyms: Antonyms of compromise include disagreement, inflexibility, and intransigence.
Examples use in sentences:
The union and management reached a compromise after months of negotiations. She refused to compromise her principles, even when faced with significant pressure.
Their marriage succeeded because both were willing to compromise. Common errors in use: One common mistake is using compromise when concede is more appropriate.
For example, The politician compromised that he had made a mistake should be The politician conceded that he had made a mistake.
Understanding compromise is essential for the GRE, not just for vocabulary questions, but also for analytical and essay sections.
It represents a key concept in decision-making, negotiations, and conflict resolution. Remember, in life and on the GRE, sometimes finding the middle ground is the best solution.
