Compromise vs. Concession — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 4, 2023
Compromise involves mutual adjustment where both parties give up something. Concession is a unilateral act where one party yields or grants something to another.
Difference Between Compromise and Concession
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Compromise and concession are both strategies employed during negotiations, but they have different implications and applications. Compromise suggests that both parties involved are making mutual adjustments to find a middle ground. This middle ground might not be the ideal solution for either party, but it's one where both can coexist or move forward.
Concession, on the other hand, is typically a unilateral action where one party yields or grants something to another without necessarily receiving something in return. It is seen as a gesture of goodwill or an act of yielding to another's demand or request. This is not necessarily a middle ground but rather a tilt in the balance favoring one party.
In practical applications, compromises are seen in scenarios where two entities have opposing views and decide to meet halfway. For instance, in a business negotiation, two companies might compromise on a price for goods. Meanwhile, concessions are evident when one party realizes that giving in on a particular point can benefit them in other ways or is a necessary sacrifice for larger gains.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Mutual adjustment
Unilateral yielding
Participation
Involves both parties
Typically involves one party
ADVERTISEMENT
Outcome
Middle ground
Tilt in balance favoring one party
Associated Action
Both sides give and take
One side gives
Typical Scenario
Resolving conflicts by meeting halfway
Granting a favor or request
Compare with Definitions
Compromise
A mutual agreement where both parties make concessions.
They reached a compromise on the disputed territory.
Concession
A business granted rights to operate in a particular area.
She opened a food concession at the local ballpark.
Compromise
Exposing something to risk or danger.
Leaving the door unlocked is a compromise of security.
Concession
A reduction in price or charge, often for certain groups.
Students receive a concession at the museum's entrance fee.
Compromise
A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
Concession
The act of conceding.
Compromise
The result of such a settlement.
Concession
Something, such as a point previously claimed in argument, that is later conceded.
Compromise
Something that combines qualities or elements of different things
The incongruous design is a compromise between high tech and early American.
Concession
An acknowledgment or admission.
Compromise
A weakening or reduction of one's principles or standards
A compromise of morality.
Concession
A grant of a tract of land made by a government or other controlling authority in return for stipulated services or a promise that the land will be used for a specific purpose.
Compromise
Impairment, as by disease or injury
Physiological compromise.
Concession
The privilege of maintaining a subsidiary business within certain premises.
Compromise
To arrive at a settlement by making concessions.
Concession
The space allotted for such a business.
Compromise
To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something, such as one's ideals.
Concession
The business itself
There was an ice cream concession in the subway station.
Compromise
To expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
A secret mission that was compromised and had to be abandoned.
Concession
A snack, drink, or other food sold at a concession
Bought concessions at halftime.
Compromise
To reduce in quality, value, or degree; weaken or lower
Don't compromise your standards.
Concession
The act of conceding.
Compromise
To impair, as by disease or injury
An immune system that was compromised by a virus.
Concession
An act of conceding, particularly:
Compromise
To settle by mutual concessions
A dispute that was compromised.
Concession
A compromise: a partial yielding to demands or requests.
Compromise
The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
Concession
Land granted by an authority for some specific purpose, particularly: township
Compromise
A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender.
A compromise of character or right
Concession
A privilege granted by an authority, especially to conduct business on favorable terms within certain conditions and particularly:
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.
Concession
(rhetoric) An admission of the validity of an opponent's point in order to build an argument upon it or to move on to another of greater importance; an instance of this.
Compromise
(ambitransitive) To bind by mutual agreement.
Concession
(by extension) Any admission of the validity or rightness of a point; an instance of this.
Compromise
To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
Concession
An admission of defeat following an election.
Compromise
(intransitive) To find a way between extremes.
Concession
A gift freely given or act freely made as a token of respect or to curry favor.
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.
Concession
A franchise: a business operated as a concession (see above).
Compromise
(transitive) To cause impairment of.
Concession
An item sold within a concession (see above) or from a concessions stand.
Compromise
(transitive) To breach (a security system).
They tried to compromise the security in the computer by guessing the password.
Concession
A person eligible for a concession price (see above).
Compromise
A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators.
Concession
To grant or approve by means of a concession agreement.
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.
Concession
The act of conceding or yielding; usually implying a demand, claim, or request, and thus distinguished from giving, which is voluntary or spontaneous.
By mutual concession the business was adjusted.
Compromise
A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender; as, a compromise of character or right.
I was determined not to accept any fine speeches, to the compromise of that sex the belonging to which was, after all, my strongest claim and title to them.
Concession
A thing yielded; an acknowledgment or admission; a boon; a grant; esp. a grant by government of a privilege or right to do something; as, a concession to build a canal.
This is therefore a concession, that he doth . . . believe the Scriptures to be sufficiently plain.
When a lover becomes satisfied by small compliances without further pursuits, then expect to find popular assemblies content with small concessions.
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.
Concession
A contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business;
He got the beer concession at the ball park
Compromise
To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
The controversy may easily be compromised.
Concession
The act of conceding or yielding
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.
Concession
A point conceded or yielded;
They won all the concessions they asked for
Compromise
To agree; to accord.
Concession
The act of yielding or granting, often as a favor or courtesy.
The king made several concessions to appease the rebels.
Compromise
To make concession for conciliation and peace.
Concession
Something surrendered or granted in response to a demand.
The treaty included a concession of territory.
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
Compromise
Expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute;
The nuclear secrets of the state were compromised by the spy
Compromise
An intermediate solution derived from blending different proposals or measures.
The new law was a compromise between conservative and liberal viewpoints.
Compromise
A decision made by mutual consent, though it may not be ideal for all.
They chose a compromise vacation spot that had activities for both adults and children.
Compromise
The act of conceding to pressure.
The union accepted a wage compromise to avoid a strike.
Common Curiosities
Does a compromise always mean a loss?
Not necessarily. It's a mutual adjustment, which might benefit both parties in different ways.
What is a compromise?
Compromise is a mutual agreement where both parties adjust their demands or views.
Is a concession similar to a compromise?
While both relate to negotiations, a concession is a unilateral act of yielding without mutual adjustment.
Can a business be called a concession?
Yes, in some contexts, a business operating in a specific area or venue can be termed a "concession."
Can a compromise involve only one party?
Typically, no. Compromises involve mutual adjustments by both parties.
Can a compromise be forced?
Ideally, compromises should be mutual, but undue pressure can sometimes lead to a forced compromise.
Are all concessions one-sided?
Generally, yes. Concessions are often unilateral acts of granting or yielding.
Do concessions always benefit the receiving party?
While it appears so, sometimes concessions are made for strategic reasons to benefit the conceding party in the long run.
Are compromises temporary?
They can be temporary or permanent, depending on the agreement.
Is every compromise a win-win?
Not necessarily. Some compromises may favor one party more than the other.
Is compromising always the best solution?
Not always. Sometimes standing firm or making a concession might be more strategic.
Are concessions always voluntary?
Typically, but they can sometimes result from pressure or external circumstances.
What's a common setting for a concession?
Concessions are common in diplomacy, business negotiations, and even in casual disputes.
Can concessions lead to future advantages?
Yes, strategic concessions can potentially lead to more significant advantages or gains later.
Which is more assertive, compromise or concession?
Compromise is often seen as a balanced approach, while concession might be viewed as more passive or strategic.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Carotene vs. Carotenoid
Next Comparison
Rights vs. DutiesAuthor Spotlight
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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
