cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrāt 

cooperated; cooperating; cooperates

intransitive verb

1

: to act or work with another or others : act together or in compliance

refused to cooperate with the police

2

: to associate with another or others for mutual benefit

nations cooperating to fight terrorism

cooperator

kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Synonyms of cooperate

• collaborate
• unite

Examples of cooperate in a Sentence

It will be much easier if everyone cooperates.

Several organizations cooperated in the relief efforts.

The country agreed to cooperate with the other nations on the trade agreement.

The mother asked the child to put on his pajamas, but the child refused to cooperate.

Witnesses were willing to cooperate.

Recent Examples on the Web

There is also the stubborn possibility the victim refuses to cooperate. — Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The resort begins clearing the beach before sunrise each morning, but nature doesn't always cooperate. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026

Michael Cohen, the president’s former personal attorney, was the prosecution’s star witness but has since publicly stated that Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James coerced him into cooperating. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 4 Sep. 2026

Sheriff’s officials said the gunshot victim did not cooperate with investigators and refused to provide information about the incident. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin cooperatus, past participle of cooperari, from Latin co- + operari to work — more at operate

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cooperate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt 

cooperated; cooperating

: to act, work, or associate with others so as to get something done