Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: yield
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks you to select the nearest synonym for the verb “compromise” as it is used in moral or principle-based contexts. In ethics and everyday decision-making, “compromise” can mean to make concessions or to weaken a principle by partially giving in. Understanding these shades of meaning helps in reading editorials, legal writing, and workplace communication.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
“Compromise” in moral contexts most directly aligns with “yield,” meaning to give way, concede, or stop resisting. While “adjust,” “accommodate,” and “conciliate” are related to making arrangements or fostering harmony, they do not always capture the act of giving up part of a principle or position. The collocation “cannot compromise on truth” essentially means “cannot yield on truth.”
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Compare usage in common phrases: “yield on price,” “yield to pressure,” “compromise on standards.” In each case, the act is giving ground. By contrast, to “accommodate” someone is to be helpful or cooperative without necessarily conceding a principle; to “conciliate” is to pacify or win over, again not inherently giving up a position.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Confusing social harmony verbs with true concessions. In moral statements about truth, “compromise” typically equals “yield,” which carries a stronger sense of surrendering ground.
Final Answer:
yield
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