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

Rather than sit on the sidelines hoping for a rate cut, buyers are moving forward now, banking on refinancing down the road if rates ever cooperate. — Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 24 July 2026

Khan, 56, cooperated with the UN investigation, according to its report. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

Another son, Ovidio Guzmán López, is also cooperating after being extradited in 2023. — Kevin Sieff, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026

When Loving went into labor, the baby’s heartbeat wasn’t cooperating, so doctors decided an emergency cesarean section was necessary. — Brian Brant, PEOPLE, 23 July 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