were compromised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were compromised" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where security, integrity, or confidentiality has been breached. Example: "The data were compromised during the cyber attack." Alternative expressions include "were breached" and "were undermined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Ninety accounts were compromised.

The Times

In fact, the devices were compromised.

The New York Times - Tech

Which systems or programs were compromised or exposed?

Harvard Business Review

Even then, NOAA did not say its systems were compromised.

The Washington Post

The standards we all adhere to were compromised".

The New York Times - Sports

The police and members of Parliament were compromised.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

He was compromised.

The New Yorker

Safety cannot be compromised".

The New York Times - Sports

Individual reputations are compromised.

The New York Times - Sports

It cannot be compromised.

The New York Times

But elections can be compromised.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In medical or biological writing, apply this phrase to describe organs or systems that are no longer functioning at full capacity due to disease or injury.

Common error

Do not confuse the passive usage (meaning damaged or breached) with the active verb 'to compromise' in the sense of 'reaching an agreement'. While 'they reached a compromise' is positive, saying 'their values "were compromised"' almost always carries a negative connotation of failure or loss of integrity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were compromised" functions as a passive verb phrase in the past tense. It consists of the auxiliary verb 'were' and the past participle 'compromised'. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to describe a state where something's integrity, security, or effectiveness has been neutralized or damaged.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were compromised" is a highly versatile and correct phrase used across various professional domains. Data from Ludwig indicates a strong concentration of usage in cybersecurity and medicine, where it describes unauthorized access or functional impairment respectively. Whether you are reporting that "passwords "were compromised"" or that "health standards "were compromised"", the phrase effectively conveys a breach of trust, security, or biological integrity. It is widely supported by high-authority sources and remains a staple for clear, objective reporting of critical failures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were breached

Specific to unauthorized access in cybersecurity contexts

were jeopardized

Emphasizes the risk or danger placed upon a situation or safety

were undermined

Suggests a gradual weakening of principles or authority

were impaired

More common in medical or physical contexts regarding function

were exposed

Focuses on the vulnerability or disclosure of sensitive data

were weakened

A simpler alternative describing a loss of strength or integrity

were subverted

Implies a deliberate attempt to overturn a system or process

were corrupted

Specifically refers to the integrity of data or moral decay

were invalidated

Used when standards or legal processes lose their binding force

were damaged

A general term for physical or reputational harm

FAQs

How to use "were compromised" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a breach of security or a loss of function, such as: "The user's login credentials "were compromised" during the data breach" or "His immune system's defenses "were compromised" by the virus".

What is the difference between "were compromised" and "were breached"?

While often interchangeable in IT, "were breached" specifically implies that a barrier was broken through, whereas "were compromised" is a broader term that suggests integrity has been lost, regardless of the method.

Is "were compromised" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is a standard academic term. For example, researchers often write that results "were undermined" or "were compromised" by external variables.

Can "were compromised" be used to describe health?

Absolutely. It is frequently used in medical contexts to describe organs or biological systems that are impaired, such as when "lung function was impaired" or "were compromised" due to infection.