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

Failure to cooperate or lying can lead to criminal charges, including contempt, perjury, obstruction and related offenses that threaten incarceration. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Sep. 2026

District staff is cooperating fully with the Broward Sheriff’s Office on its investigation and crisis counselors are providing support to those grieving the loss of a beloved coworker. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

The company also agreed to continue cooperating with the government in criminal prosecutions related to the matter. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

While training this summer, his hips wouldn’t cooperate to give him the confidence to skate and battle in the situations NHL defensemen run into every game. — Eric Stephens, New York Times, 11 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