cop-out 1 of 2

as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable I think that saying you're sick is just a cop-out to get out of going to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cop out

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of cop-out
Noun
Again, this isn’t a cop-out, but the familiarity doesn’t give either side an edge. Megan Feringa, New York Times, 27 July 2025 Bloy’s answer to Variety’s question is both understandable and a total cop-out. Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 15 July 2025 And yet there’s hardly an ounce of violence on screen, which feels like both a cop-out and, in some ways, an accomplishment. Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2025 This is a bit of a cop-out, but there’s not much drama in the room unless injury hits. Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 7 July 2025 Ultimately, the labor export program shouldn’t be seen as a cop-out by the government but rather as a single element of a much larger jobs plan that ought to prioritize opportunities in the country. Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 20 June 2025 Such a cop-out is the underlying, depressing reality with all of these remakes: No change can be too daring, no update too significant. David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025 Many would have to raise their taxes as most do not allow for deficit spending (for the federal government, the optimal cop-out). Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2025 Of course, there will always be times when a company catches you by surprise and lists your name along with other underperforming employees in a cop-out to cover their atrocious layoffs. Rachel Wells, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
Verb
On Thursday, there were 652 officers on the force, with nearly 100 cops out on some kind of administrative or medical leave. Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2025 But with that brief wave of hope came new footage on Twitter every night of the NYPD acting like bad cops out of a Harvey Keitel flick: cops harassing peaceful crowds, cops kettling activists, cops literally driving a car into a crowd of protestors. Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025 The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more. Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 14 June 2025 About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer. Melody Chiu, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025 The judges avoid giving critiques to the girls this week but do talk among one another, which is kind of weird but also means that nobody gets to cop out of Rate-a-Queen and just imitate the judges. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 Sometimes that feels like a bit of a cop out. Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
  • Orta San Giulio Tucked away in northern Piedmont, Lake Orta is an unsung lakeside escape in Italy.
    Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike most mass shooters who expect to die during their attacks, an expert tells Fox News Digital that Robinson devised escape routes and left behind a detailed digital trail.
    Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The president backed out of a meeting tentatively planned for Thursday after a top Republican panned the talks.
    Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 24 Sep. 2025
  • After backing out of Monday's Dawson's Creek cast reunion in New York City due to illness, James Van Der Beek still made a surprise appearance at the event in a sweet video message for attendees and his fellow cast members.
    Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hughbanks faces a tax evasion charge in relation to the police investigation findings.
    Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 18 Sep. 2025
  • Congress and the Commerce Department should execute oversight and enforcement accordingly to monitor for tariff evasion and circumvention.
    Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Maduro appears to be betting that Washington will back down.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • At 89 years old, Woody Allen isn't backing down.
    Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The vehicle must also earn a good or acceptable rating in the collision avoidance areas, like pedestrian front-crash prevention technology test for daytime and nighttime driving as well as its headlights on all trim levels.
    Jackie Charniga, Freep.com, 21 Sep. 2025
  • Intelligent autofocus, keystone correction and obstacle avoidance make for setup ease.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 20 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • When Parsons then tried to get his agent involved before putting ink to paper, Jones backed off the deal.
    Jon Machota, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Small and mid-sized countries that were energetically pursuing Security Council reform have backed off and are waiting for a clear signal of what—if anything—Trump will say about it.
    Richard Gowan, Time, 22 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Harris recalls her team being prepared for every scenario on election night except her defeat.
    Sydney Topf, The Washington Examiner, 23 Sep. 2025
  • The women were asked to recall these details weeks, months, and in some cases years after the fact, DeNicola says.
    Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

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