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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement
don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
But merely saying that is a cop-out.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
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
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
But in the wake of that buildup, the film's shockingly anticlimactic ending also feels like somewhat of a cop-out.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Those who don’t will probably view it as a cop-out — which is understandable!
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.
—Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026
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
On Thursday, there were 652 officers on the force, with nearly 100 cops out on some kind of administrative or medical leave.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 14 June 2025
Noun
But the union is not wrong to call this a cop-out, either.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026
But merely saying that is a cop-out.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
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
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
But in the wake of that buildup, the film's shockingly anticlimactic ending also feels like somewhat of a cop-out.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Those who don’t will probably view it as a cop-out — which is understandable!
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
Strategic shakeup Usually buying and selling is a cop out, but with where the Red Sox are in their competitive cycle the approach might make some sense.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 31 May 2026
The case, which has only recently come to the attention of POST officials, highlights the limits of state oversight even after lawmakers passed significant police reform aimed at forcing dishonest cops out of the profession.
—Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026
Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views.
—Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026
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
On Thursday, there were 652 officers on the force, with nearly 100 cops out on some kind of administrative or medical leave.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025
But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors.
—Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025
The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more.
—Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 14 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
-
Still, youthful rebellion in virtual reality looks great and the concept of online escapes resonates in an increasingly intense real world.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
-
Located in Tetbury, Calcot Manor & Spa is a Cotswolds escape designed with the whole family in mind.—
Lindsay Cohn,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
Verb
-
The former is set up the same way, with Sam refusing to kiss Percy during a game of truth or dare, only for Charlie to swoop in — and ultimately back out in the show.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
11 June 2026
-
Sources said a different Big 12 team, TCU, was the initial target before backing out of what essentially is a home game for the Aztecs.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Earlier this year, Cagle told the city council that around half of all bus and light rail riders are not paying their fares, with rail evasion the most common occurrence.—
DJ Simmons,
Charlotte Observer,
12 June 2026
-
Washington Metro saw fare evasion drop dramatically after similar upgrades.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Unlike many Republicans in Congress, however, Carroll refused to back down.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
15 June 2026
-
Brunson would not go quietly, using another flurry of points to cut the Spurs’ lead back down to six as the quarter neared the halfway point.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The company also developed collision-avoidance software that prevents the robot’s arms from interfering with each other during operation.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 June 2026
-
Revonsuo proposed that dreaming itself is an ancient biological defense mechanism, shaped by natural selection to rehearse threat perception and avoidance during sleep.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Bessent backed off the idea amid criticism.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
17 June 2026
-
But that’s only when Tom Holland backs off.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
Aquazzura designed the Sea Wave silhouette to recall a shimmering wave, using transparent PVC and tonal metallic leather to create its fluid profile.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
13 June 2026
-
Ford is recalling more than 250,000 vehicles that were incorrectly repaired under a previous recall meant to fix a problem that caused the engine to stall while driving, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
