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
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Key Differences
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.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Typical Scenario
Resolving conflicts by meeting halfway
Granting a favor or request
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Definitions
Compromise
A mutual agreement where both parties make concessions.
They reached a compromise on the disputed territory.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A business granted rights to operate in a particular area.
She opened a food concession at the local ballpark.
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Sep 26, 2023
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Compromise
Exposing something to risk or danger.
Leaving the door unlocked is a compromise of security.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A reduction in price or charge, often for certain groups.
Students receive a concession at the museum's entrance fee.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
Something, such as a point previously claimed in argument, that is later conceded.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
Something that combines qualities or elements of different things
The incongruous design is a compromise between high tech and early American.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
A weakening or reduction of one's principles or standards
A compromise of morality.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
The privilege of maintaining a subsidiary business within certain premises.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
To reduce the quality, value, or degree of something, such as one's ideals.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
The business itself
There was an ice cream concession in the subway station.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
To expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute
A secret mission that was compromised and had to be abandoned.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A snack, drink, or other food sold at a concession
Bought concessions at halftime.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
To reduce in quality, value, or degree; weaken or lower
Don't compromise your standards.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
To impair, as by disease or injury
An immune system that was compromised by a virus.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
The settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
Land granted by an authority for some specific purpose, particularly: township
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
A committal to something derogatory or objectionable; a prejudicial concession; a surrender.
A compromise of character or right
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A privilege granted by an authority, especially to conduct business on favorable terms within certain conditions and particularly:
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
(by extension) Any admission of the validity or rightness of a point; an instance of this.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A gift freely given or act freely made as a token of respect or to curry favor.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
An item sold within a concession (see above) or from a concessions stand.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
(transitive) To breach (a security system).
They tried to compromise the security in the computer by guessing the password.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
A mutual agreement to refer matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A contract granting the right to operate a subsidiary business;
He got the beer concession at the ball park
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
To adjust and settle by mutual concessions; to compound.
The controversy may easily be compromised.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
A point conceded or yielded;
They won all the concessions they asked for
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
The act of yielding or granting, often as a favor or courtesy.
The king made several concessions to appease the rebels.
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Sep 26, 2023
Concession
Something surrendered or granted in response to a demand.
The treaty included a concession of territory.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
An accommodation in which both sides make concessions;
The newly elected congressmen rejected a compromise because they considered it `business as usual'
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
Make a compromise; arrive at a compromise;
Nobody will get everything he wants; we all must compromise
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
Expose or make liable to danger, suspicion, or disrepute;
The nuclear secrets of the state were compromised by the spy
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
An intermediate solution derived from blending different proposals or measures.
The new law was a compromise between conservative and liberal viewpoints.
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Sep 26, 2023
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.
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Sep 26, 2023
Compromise
The act of conceding to pressure.
The union accepted a wage compromise to avoid a strike.
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Sep 26, 2023
FAQs
Does a compromise always mean a loss?
Not necessarily. It's a mutual adjustment, which might benefit both parties in different ways.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
What is a compromise?
Compromise is a mutual agreement where both parties adjust their demands or views.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Is a concession similar to a compromise?
While both relate to negotiations, a concession is a unilateral act of yielding without mutual adjustment.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
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."
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Oct 04, 2023
Can a compromise involve only one party?
Typically, no. Compromises involve mutual adjustments by both parties.
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Oct 04, 2023
Can a compromise be forced?
Ideally, compromises should be mutual, but undue pressure can sometimes lead to a forced compromise.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Are all concessions one-sided?
Generally, yes. Concessions are often unilateral acts of granting or yielding.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Are compromises temporary?
They can be temporary or permanent, depending on the agreement.
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Oct 04, 2023
Is every compromise a win-win?
Not necessarily. Some compromises may favor one party more than the other.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Is compromising always the best solution?
Not always. Sometimes standing firm or making a concession might be more strategic.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Are concessions always voluntary?
Typically, but they can sometimes result from pressure or external circumstances.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
What's a common setting for a concession?
Concessions are common in diplomacy, business negotiations, and even in casual disputes.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Can concessions lead to future advantages?
Yes, strategic concessions can potentially lead to more significant advantages or gains later.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
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.
Fiza Rafique
Oct 04, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor 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.
