cooperate

1 of 2

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

cooperator

2 of 2

noun

co·​op·​er·​a·​tor kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 

plural -s

1

: one that cooperates:

a

: coworker, colleague, collaborator

the cooperators with whom he worked

b

: one who follows with thoroughness the directions or suggestions of a government, governmental agency, or political party

soil conservation programs gaining more cooperators

2

: a member of a cooperative : an advocate of cooperative principles and practices

Synonyms of cooperate

Verb

• collaborate
• unite

Examples of cooperate in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Strike team leader Jamie Callahan will work to ensure state agencies are cooperating with local governments and LA28 so the Games run smoothly. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Mongolia, which maintains relations with Pyongyang, has been slow to cooperate. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026

Daniel Solis, who was cooperating undercover with the feds, the response stated. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Pope Leo also had a role in urging the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to cooperate on a ceasefire. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Late Latin cooperatus, past participle of cooperari, from Latin co- + operari to work — more at operate

Noun

Late Latin, from cooperatus + -or

First Known Use

Verb

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