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

Just like his unpredictable body, his mouth refused to cooperate with his brain. — Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 13 Nov. 2026

In an email to Nvidia staff, Huang admitted to cheating on his wife and promised to cooperate with the investigation. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Nov. 2026

Yet if that state refuses to cooperate or surrender a suspect, there is no real punishment, only an embarrassing censure. — Pedro Sánchez, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2026

The driver of the vehicle, a 70-year-old East Haven man, remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 12 Nov. 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