compromettre

Compromettre is a French verb with several closely related senses centered on putting something or someone at risk, or on involving someone in a potentially unfavorable situation. It can mean to jeopardize or damage the integrity of a plan, a process, or a system; it can also mean to implicate someone in wrongdoing. In a broader sense, it can signify binding someone to an obligation or committing oneself to a course of action. The reflexive form se compromettre refers to placing oneself in a compromising or embarrassing position, or to committing oneself publicly to a cause or duty.

Étymologie: The verb etymology traces to Latin compromittere, formed from com- “together” and promittere “to promise,” through Old French compromis and compromission. From these roots, the meaning expanded from a strategic binding or promise to the more general notions of jeopardizing or involving.

Conjugation and usage: Compromettre belongs to the -ettre family and follows the patterns of related verbs such as promettre, though with its own semantic range. The passé composé is formed with avoir: j’ai compromis, tu as compromis, il a compromis, nous avons compromis, vous avez compromis, ils ont compromis. The past participle compromis is also the form found in many uses. The pronominal form se compromettre uses the auxiliary être: je me suis compromis, etc.

Exemples et périmètres d’usage: On parle de compromettre la sécurité d’un système, d’un enquête, ou d’une réputation. On peut aussi dire se compromettre en acceptant une affaire litigieuse ou en prenant une position ambiguë publiquement. En contexte légal ou journalistique, compromettre peut signifier mettre en cause ou impliquer quelqu’un dans une affaire. Synonymes proches comprennent mettre en danger, impliquer, compromettre, ou mettre en péril.