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

Moore, who had already fled to Pennsylvania, was brought back to Florida and agreed to cooperate in exchange for immunity. —Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

O’Neil said there was never any question her mother would cooperate with authorities, hoping her memories might help solve what happened to her friend. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

While regulations vary by jurisdiction, offshore services firms and banks, including those in the BVI, are expected to carry out due diligence and cooperate with law enforcement to curb criminal activity. —Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

The truck’s driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. —Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Nov. 2025

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

• abbreviate
• accelerate
• accommodate
• accumulate
• acuminate
• adjudicate
• adulterate
• affiliate
• agglomerate
• agglutinate
• alleviate
• amalgamate

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