Compromise vs. Commitment — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 2, 2024
Compromise involves making mutual concessions to resolve conflict, whereas commitment signifies a dedication or obligation to a cause or relationship.
Difference Between Compromise and Commitment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Compromise is a process where two or more parties make concessions to reach a mutual agreement, aiming to resolve differences. On the other hand, commitment refers to a state of being emotionally or intellectually dedicated to a cause or a person.
In the context of relationships, compromise is essential for resolving conflicts where each person gives up something to reach a satisfactory middle ground, whereas commitment is about maintaining loyalty and support, regardless of the circumstances.
Compromise often requires a short-term adjustment of one's desires or expectations to accommodate the other party. In contrast, commitment is a long-term engagement that might not necessitate immediate concessions but demands consistency in support and dedication.
When making decisions, compromise might mean neither party gets exactly what they want, aiming instead for a solution that is acceptable to all. Conversely, commitment involves sticking with a decision or a person through various challenges, often without wavering.
In professional settings, compromise is used to facilitate agreement in negotiations or team projects, requiring flexibility and understanding from all involved. Commitment, however, focuses more on dedication to job roles, organizational goals, or professional growth over time.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Making mutual concessions to resolve conflict
Dedication to a cause or relationship
Focus
Resolution of immediate differences
Long-term dedication and support
Time Frame
Often short-term
Long-term
Key in Relationships
Essential for conflict resolution
Fundamental for stability and growth
Professional Application
Negotiations, team decisions
Job roles, organizational goals
Compare with Definitions
Compromise
A settlement of differences by mutual concessions.
The business partners reached a compromise after long discussions.
Commitment
The act of committing to a charge or trust.
She showed her commitment to the cause with her tireless efforts.
Compromise
To expose or make vulnerable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute.
A lapse in security could compromise our data.
Commitment
A pledge or promise to do something.
He made a commitment to improve his grades.
Compromise
To accept standards that are lower than desirable.
We cannot compromise with quality on this project.
Commitment
An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.
His commitment to his family prevented him from moving abroad.
Compromise
Making concessions in a disagreement.
To avoid the argument, both sides made a compromise.
Commitment
Emotional or intellectual devotion.
True commitment is rare in casual relationships.
Compromise
To compromise is to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up part of their demand. In arguments, compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through a mutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal or desires.
Commitment
The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
The company's commitment to quality
I could not fault my players for commitment
Compromise
An agreement or settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions
Eventually they reached a compromise
The secret of a happy marriage is compromise
Commitment
An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action
With so many business commitments time for recreation was limited
Compromise
Settle a dispute by mutual concession
In the end we compromised and deferred the issue
Commitment
The act of referring a legislative bill to committee.
Compromise
Expediently accept standards that are lower than is desirable
We were not prepared to compromise on safety
Commitment
Official consignment, as to a prison or mental health facility.
Compromise
Bring into disrepute or danger by indiscreet, foolish, or reckless behaviour
Situations in which his troops could be compromised
Commitment
A court order authorizing consignment to a prison.
Compromise
A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
Commitment
A pledge or obligation, as to follow a certain course of action
A public official's commitment to uphold the Constitution.
Compromise
The result of such a settlement.
Commitment
Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
Compromise
Something that combines qualities or elements of different things
The incongruous design is a compromise between high tech and early American.
Commitment
The state of being emotionally or intellectually devoted, as to a belief, a course of action, or another person
A profound commitment to the family.
Compromise
A weakening or reduction of one's principles or standards
A compromise of morality.
Commitment
The act or an instance of committing, putting in charge, keeping, or trust, especially:
Compromise
Impairment, as by disease or injury
Physiological compromise.
Commitment
The act of sending a legislative bill to committee for review.
Compromise
To arrive at a settlement by making concessions.
Commitment
Official consignment sending a person to prison or a mental health institution.
Compromise
To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something, such as one's ideals.
Commitment
Promise or agreement to do something in the future, especially:
Compromise
To expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
A secret mission that was compromised and had to be abandoned.
Commitment
Act of assuming a financial obligation at a future date.
Compromise
To reduce in quality, value, or degree; weaken or lower
Don't compromise your standards.
Commitment
Being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons.
Compromise
To impair, as by disease or injury
An immune system that was compromised by a virus.
Commitment
The trait of sincerity and focused purpose.
Compromise
To settle by mutual concessions
A dispute that was compromised.
Commitment
Perpetration as in a crime or mistake.
Compromise
The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
Commitment
State of being pledged or engaged.
Compromise
A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender.
A compromise of character or right
Commitment
The act of being locked away, such as in an institution for the mentally ill or in jail.
Compromise
(computer security) A breach of a computer or network's rules such that an unauthorized disclosure or loss of sensitive information may have occurred, or the unauthorized disclosure or loss itself.
Commitment
The act of committing, or putting in charge, keeping, or trust; consignment; esp., the act of committing to prison.
They were glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower, whence he was within few days enlarged.
Compromise
(ambitransitive) To bind by mutual agreement.
Commitment
A warrant or order for the imprisonment of a person; - more frequently termed a mittimus.
Compromise
To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
Commitment
The act of referring or intrusting to a committee for consideration and report; as, the commitment of a petition or a bill.
Compromise
(intransitive) To find a way between extremes.
Commitment
A doing, or perpetration, in a bad sense, as of a crime or blunder; commission.
Compromise
To pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion.
Commitment
The act of pledging or engaging; the act of exposing, endangering, or compromising; also, the state of being pledged or engaged.
Compromise
(transitive) To cause impairment of.
Commitment
The trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose;
A man of energy and commitment
Compromise
(transitive) To breach (a security system).
They tried to compromise the security in the computer by guessing the password.
Commitment
The act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action;
His long commitment to public service
They felt no loyalty to a losing team
Compromise
A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators.
Commitment
An engagement by contract involving financial obligation;
His business commitments took him to London
Compromise
A settlement by arbitration or by mutual consent reached by concession on both sides; a reciprocal abatement of extreme demands or rights, resulting in an agreement.
But basely yielded upon compromiseThat which his noble ancestors achieved with blows.
All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.
An abhorrence of concession and compromise is a never failing characteristic of religious factions.
Commitment
A message that makes a pledge
Compromise
To bind by mutual agreement; to agree.
Laban and himself were compromisedThat all the eanlings which were streaked and piedShould fall as Jacob's hire.
Commitment
The official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)
Compromise
To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
The controversy may easily be compromised.
Compromise
To pledge by some act or declaration; to endanger the life, reputation, etc., of, by some act which can not be recalled; to expose to suspicion.
To pardon all who had been compromised in the late disturbances.
Compromise
To agree; to accord.
Compromise
To make concession for conciliation and peace.
Compromise
A middle way between two extremes
Compromise
An accommodation in which both sides make concessions;
The newly elected congressmen rejected a compromise because they considered it `business as usual'
Compromise
Make a compromise; arrive at a compromise;
Nobody will get everything he wants; we all must compromise
Compromise
Settle by concession
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between compromise and commitment?
Compromise is about making concessions to resolve conflicts, while commitment is about dedication and loyalty to a cause or person.
Is commitment necessary in professional settings?
Yes, commitment is crucial in professional settings as it ensures dedication to job roles and organizational goals.
Can compromise affect commitment in any way?
Excessive compromising may undermine commitment if one feels their needs are consistently unmet.
Can a relationship survive without compromise?
Relationships typically require compromise to resolve conflicts and accommodate differing needs.
How do compromise and commitment play a role in successful teamwork?
Successful teamwork often relies on compromise to make collective decisions and commitment to team goals and processes.
How does one balance compromise and commitment in a relationship?
Balancing both involves understanding when to make concessions and when to stand firm in dedication.
Can too much compromise be detrimental?
Yes, if compromises lead to one’s needs being regularly overlooked, it can be harmful.
What are examples of commitment in everyday life?
Examples include adhering to personal goals, maintaining loyalty to friends, or staying dedicated to a professional role.
What is more important in a marriage, compromise or commitment?
Both are crucial; compromise resolves conflicts and commitment provides stability and growth.
How do compromise and commitment affect leadership?
Effective leadership often requires the ability to compromise when necessary and demonstrate commitment to leadership values and team goals.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
