a poor compromise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a poor compromise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a compromise has been made, but the outcome is unsatisfactory or inadequate. Example: "The agreement reached between the two parties was seen as a poor compromise, failing to address the main concerns of either side."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

In many ways this is a poor compromise.

The Economist

Artifice has become the ideal, nature a poor compromise.

The New York Times - Arts

This quickly came to seem like a poor compromise, so he flew to Los Angeles to stay with Flea.

The New Yorker

It was a poor compromise, for it left the country with a severely weakened, reconstituted Supreme Soviet, with members appointed by the republics, which seems ill-equipped to check the surge toward executive power.

The New Yorker

His view was that even a poor compromise was justified if it made some progress toward reform but that Strasbourg accepting the Augsburg Interim would be a step backward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even if you have more to spend, I'd rather have a separate grill and true smoker than one or the other or a poor compromise.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Couples who don't practice forgiveness are more likely to engage in "negative interpersonal tactics" and have a poor ability to compromise or resolve issues.

HuffPost

Moreover, as suggested by a previous study [ 10], the association of indeterminate QFT results with hypoalbuminemia may reflect a poor nutritional status that compromises the immune system.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The compromise was considered a poor outcome for Michigan; nearly all of the Upper Peninsula was still Indian territory at the time.

Wikipedia

This confirms that the French RCT included cases at extraordinary high risk for fetal compromise, and indicates a poor quality of cord blood samples.

Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica

Intuitively, one may expect this person to be more prone to infection, possessing a poorer quality of bone and compromised healing from surgery.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a compromise as "poor", be specific about why it's inadequate. Explain which needs are unmet or which negative consequences result from the agreement.

Common error

Avoid simply labeling a compromise as "poor" without providing context or reasons. A vague description weakens your argument. Instead, clearly articulate the specific shortcomings or drawbacks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a poor compromise" functions as a subjective assessment of an agreement or settlement. It serves to negatively characterize the compromise, indicating that it is unsatisfactory or deficient in some way. The Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from political negotiations to technical trade-offs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a poor compromise" is a valid and usable expression for describing an agreement that is deemed unsatisfactory. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, its usage is consistent and grammatically sound. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific reasons why the compromise is inadequate, rather than simply labeling it as such. Alternatives like "a bad compromise" or "a flawed compromise" may also be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad compromise

Replaces "poor" with a more direct negative adjective, emphasizing the unsatisfactory nature of the compromise.

a flawed compromise

Highlights imperfections or inherent weaknesses within the compromise itself.

an inadequate compromise

Emphasizes that the compromise does not sufficiently meet the needs or expectations.

an unsatisfactory compromise

Focuses on the disappointment and lack of fulfillment resulting from the compromise.

a suboptimal compromise

Suggests the compromise is less than ideal and could have been better.

a weak compromise

Highlights the fragility or ineffectiveness of the compromise.

a questionable compromise

Implies doubts or concerns about the validity or fairness of the compromise.

a deficient compromise

Focuses on what is missing or lacking in the compromise.

a second-rate compromise

Emphasizes the low quality or inferiority of the compromise.

a regrettable compromise

Suggests that the compromise is something one might later feel sorry for having agreed to.

FAQs

How can I use "a poor compromise" in a sentence?

You can use "a poor compromise" to describe an agreement that fails to adequately address the needs or concerns of the involved parties. For example, "The final agreement was "a poor compromise", leaving many issues unresolved."

What are some alternatives to saying "a poor compromise"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a bad compromise", "a flawed compromise", or "an inadequate compromise".

Is it better to say "a bad compromise" or "a poor compromise"?

Both "a bad compromise" and "a poor compromise" are acceptable. "Bad" is a more direct and forceful term, while "poor" can sometimes imply a lack of quality or effectiveness rather than outright negativity. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a compromise "a poor compromise"?

A compromise might be considered "a poor compromise" if it only partially addresses the key issues, if it creates new problems, if it is unfair to one or more parties involved, or if it is unlikely to be sustainable in the long term.