Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

trade-off

[treyd-awf, -of] / ˈtreɪdˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
NOUN
compromise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
accommodation accord adjustment arrangement bargain concession deal pact settlement understanding
STRONG
compact composition contract cop-out covenant mean sellout
WEAK
fifty-fifty half measure half-and-half happy medium middle course middle ground win-win situation
Antonyms
STRONGEST
denial disagreement misunderstanding refusal
WEAK
contest controversy difference dispute dissension dissent quarrel
NOUN
concession
Synonyms
STRONGEST
acknowledgment admission compromise deal grant permit privilege
STRONG
allowance assent authorization boon buyback confession cop-out indulgence permission rollback sellout surrender warrant
WEAK
giveback giving-in
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreement
STRONG
denial
WEAK
difference disputation fighting protest refusal repudiation
NOUN
give-and-take
Synonyms
STRONGEST
banter reciprocity
STRONG
adaptability collaboration compromise concession cooperation exchange offset settlement swap trade
WEAK
deal-making wheeling and dealing
Antonyms
STRONG
difference disagreement
NOUN
quid pro quo
Synonyms
WEAK
equal exchange equal substitution equivalent eye for an eye like for like measure for measure something in return substitute tit for tat
NOUN
settlement
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agreement arrangement compensation contract deal establishment payment resolution
STRONG
adjustment clearance compact completion conclusion confirmation covenant defrayal determination discharge disposition liquidation pay payoff quietus reimbursement remuneration satisfaction showdown termination
WEAK
happy medium working out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
disagreement misunderstanding
STRONG
beginning denial introduction start veto
WEAK
confusion indecision
NOUN
tit for tat
Synonyms
WEAK
equivalent eye for an eye like for like quid pro quo something for something
VERB
arbitrate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
adjudicate interpose intervene mediate straighten out
STRONG
adjudge adjust conciliate decide determine judge negotiate parley placate reconcile referee settle smooth soothe umpire
WEAK
bring to terms come to school come to terms hammer out a deal make a deal meet halfway pass judgment play ball step in strike happy medium trade off work out a deal
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ignore
STRONG
agitate confuse hesitate upset worry
WEAK
let ride
VERB
compromise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agree negotiate
STRONG
adjust arbitrate compose compound concede conciliate give and take settle
WEAK
find happy medium find middle ground go fifty-fifty make a deal make concession meet halfway play ball with split the difference strike balance trade off
Antonyms
STRONG
confuse disarrange upset
WEAK
contest differ disagree dispute dissent guard protect quarrel save
VERB
make concessions
Synonyms
WEAK
accommodate agree bargain compromise find a happy medium find the middle ground give and take go fifty-fifty make a deal reach an agreement settle split the difference strike a deal trade off
VERB
mediate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
arbitrate intercede interfere intervene negotiate resolve
STRONG
conciliate deal intermediate interpose moderate propitiate reconcile referee settle umpire
WEAK
act as middle bring to terms go fifty-fifty make a deal make peace meet halfway restore harmony step in strike happy medium trade off
Antonyms
STRONG
refuse
WEAK
argue contend disagree fight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Investors were not happy with that trade-off, and the stock declined 10% the next day.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

"What this incident brings into focus is the fact that there is a trade-off."

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

But there is a trade-off between the amount of money at issue here and the time and grief trying to get reimbursed could cause you.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

The Fed believes, because its models tell it so, in a trade-off between inflation and the labor market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

The trade-off was that the highway route was so much longer that choosing it would greatly increase our chances of a forced touchdown.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Vocabulary lists containing trade-off

Economics

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Word Generation Social Studies - Complex Questions Related to American Democracy

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Microeconomics

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!