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

Tingley said the district is cooperating with the Illinois High School Association’s investigation into the events and acknowledged that H-F board members threatened legal action in response. — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026

The driver of the vehicle that struck the bicyclist remained on the scene and is cooperating with the police on the investigation, local police say. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026

Panettiere’s polarizing boyfriend Brian Hickerson is said to be cooperating with authorities investigating the actor’s death. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

Witherspoon pleaded guilty in a separate nursing-school prosecution and cooperated with federal authorities. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 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