COP OUT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

cop-out 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäp-ˌau̇t

Definition of cop-out

as in escape

the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable I think that saying you're sick is just a cop-out to get out of going to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cop out

2 of 2

verb

as in to back out

to break a promise or agreement don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cop-out

Noun

Retreating to one’s room in the middle of the day feels like a cop-out at many places, but here the indoor-outdoor flow transforms a late-afternoon nap into a pleasure without the guilt. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026 Claiming that the shooter was still gathering is a cop-out by the refs. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026

Verb

Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026 Herman views the administration’s statements about the complexity of the refund process—and the need for the CIT’s intervention—as a bit of a cop out. — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cop-out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out

Noun

If a third-party bug let your model escape, the story is that OpenAI shipped an eval without a fence while sitting on some of the most capable models on earth, and did not use them to audit your own dependencies.

— Lutz Finger, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
In recent years, Afrofuturism, as Brent Staples noted in The New York Times, has grown considerably, aiming to write African Americans into a fantastical future built on salvation, tribulation, and futuristic escape.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

Manager Joe Espada considered sending Brown back out for the eighth, but settled for seven of the best innings any of his starters have thrown all season.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 26 July 2026
The award-winning regional Mexican group is heading back out on the road with the Amor Nocturno tour, their most ambitious outing yet.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Definition of back out

Noun

Experts suggest these adjustments are aimed at improving radar evasion, aerodynamic efficiency and engine performance.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 3 Aug. 2026
The problem, however, is that the legislation would allow the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top buyers of Russian oil and gas, and on countries that facilitate Russian sanctions evasion.

— Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 30 July 2026

Definition of evasion

Noun

Fortune‘s own reporting shows this resistance can escalate well past quiet avoidance into deliberate sabotage.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
Saturn stations retrograde in your 12th House of Solitude, asking you to review rest, avoidance, private fears, and the habits that either restore you or keep you quietly overloaded.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Definition of avoidance

Verb

And, Michelle, as Donna just pointed out, Jeanine Pirro says no to the president, backs off the charges, immediately gets attacked by both Doug Burgum and the president.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
When the wind switches or an outside factor becomes evident, Fox will back off his shot.

— Gabby Herzig, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of back off

Verb

Overeem also recalls being released after refusing a 50% pay cut, highlighting a lack of personal relationship with White.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
As the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene approaches, Atlanta native Andrew Aydin recalls the day in late September when the devastating storm struck his community in Western North Carolina.

— Suzanne Van Atten, AJC.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

copiousness

cop-out

cop out

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Style

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cop-out

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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