was compromised

USAGE SUMMARY

"was compromised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been weakened or put in a vulnerable position due to external forces. For example, "The company's security protocols were compromised by a malicious cyber attack."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was compromised.

The New Yorker

Chocolate was compromised.

The New Yorker

Either way, honour was compromised.

The Economist

My vision was compromised.

The New Yorker

Fielding his position was compromised.

The New York Times - Sports

The electoral commission was compromised.

The Guardian

A fourth believed his privacy was compromised.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The show was compromised," Mr. Landau said.

The New York Times - Arts

I can't tell you anything was compromised.

The New York Times

The arrangement, he admits, was compromised by his own naïveté.

The New York Times

The plan was compromised, and Zawahiri returned to Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was compromised" to clearly indicate that something has been weakened or made vulnerable due to external factors or actions. Ensure the context provides clarity about what "compromised" means in that specific situation, such as security, integrity, or functionality.

Common error

Avoid using "was compromised" without specifying what aspect was affected. For instance, instead of saying "The system was compromised", clarify with "The system's security was compromised, leading to data exposure."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was compromised" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject experienced a negative action, such as being weakened or violated. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was compromised" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive verb phrase that indicates something has been weakened or made vulnerable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English across various registers. It is most frequently found in "News & Media" and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clarify what aspect "was compromised" to avoid vagueness. Consider using alternatives like "was undermined" or "was jeopardized" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was undermined

Focuses on a gradual weakening, often subtly or indirectly.

was jeopardized

Emphasizes the risk or danger something is exposed to.

was weakened

Highlights a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

was made vulnerable

Stresses the state of being susceptible to harm or attack.

was put at risk

Indicates exposure to potential danger or loss.

was destabilized

Implies a loss of stability or equilibrium.

was impaired

Suggests a functional reduction or damage.

was subverted

Indicates an overthrowing or undermining of power or authority.

suffered a breach

Specifically implies a security violation or failure.

was left exposed

Highlights the lack of protection or defense.

FAQs

How can I use "was compromised" in a sentence?

Use "was compromised" to indicate that something has been weakened, put at risk, or had its integrity violated. For example, "The network security "was compromised" due to a phishing attack".

What are some alternatives to "was compromised"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was undermined", "was jeopardized", or "was weakened" to express a similar meaning.

Which is the correct term, "was compromised" or "is compromised"?

"Was compromised" indicates a past event, while "is compromised" indicates a present state. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the event. For instance, "The data "was compromised" last month", versus "The system "is compromised" right now".

What does it mean when someone says their account "was compromised"?

When someone says their account "was compromised", it typically means that their account security "was compromised", and an unauthorized user gained access to it. This could lead to identity theft or data loss.