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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement
don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cop-out
Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Retreating to one’s room in the middle of the day feels like a cop-out at many places, but here the indoor-outdoor flow transforms a late-afternoon nap into a pleasure without the guilt.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Claiming that the shooter was still gathering is a cop-out by the refs.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
But in the wake of that buildup, the film's shockingly anticlimactic ending also feels like somewhat of a cop-out.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Those who don’t will probably view it as a cop-out — which is understandable!
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Mine is probably a cop-out too.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Herman views the administration’s statements about the complexity of the refund process—and the need for the CIT’s intervention—as a bit of a cop out.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
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
Noun
But merely saying that is a cop-out.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Retreating to one’s room in the middle of the day feels like a cop-out at many places, but here the indoor-outdoor flow transforms a late-afternoon nap into a pleasure without the guilt.
—Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026
Claiming that the shooter was still gathering is a cop-out by the refs.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Jan. 2026
In another day and age, the move might appear cheap — a cop-out that suggests cinematic universes and spin-offs and good old-fashioned comeuppance.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2025
But in the wake of that buildup, the film's shockingly anticlimactic ending also feels like somewhat of a cop-out.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 24 Oct. 2025
Claiming victimhood was a cop-out; those who made accusations of assault were ridiculed.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Those who don’t will probably view it as a cop-out — which is understandable!
—Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
Mine is probably a cop-out too.
—Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
To say these machines are too expense is a cop out.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 7 Mar. 2026
Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026
Herman views the administration’s statements about the complexity of the refund process—and the need for the CIT’s intervention—as a bit of a cop out.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
-
April itself may feel too full for an extended escape, but don't overlook what's available close by.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
-
An excavator was used on Thursday to dig an escape channel after earlier unsuccessful efforts to coax the whale back toward deeper water, including using coast guard and fire department boats to create large waves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
So if officials back out of the project, Rosenburgh said the NCDOT board will question other projects for the Charlotte area.—
Desiree Mathurin
March 27,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The ice is naturally reflective, sending some of the sun’s rays back out to space.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
He was convicted of tax evasion in January 2006.—
Jack Perry,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Years of fare evasion and the fare forgiveness program encouraged nonpayment, leaving lasting financial issues.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Tehran shows no signs of backing down.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
That capsule went on a looping trip around the moon that lasted over three weeks and covered over a million miles before splashing back down in the Pacific.—
Nell Greenfieldboyce,
NPR,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now a quarter century into a career largely characterized by mystique and a seeming avoidance of the public eye, Atobe has spent the better part of the 2020s slowly opening up, with some bemusement.—
Maxie Younger,
Pitchfork,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The models listed by the IIHS all include accident avoidance and mitigation features that can keep drivers and occupants safe.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Less than a month later, TSA committed to boost staffing, and Southwell backed off his threat.—
Kelly Yamanouchi,
AJC.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Treasury yields and the dollar retreated, with traders backing off some of their more hawkish Federal Reserve bets, pricing in a few basis points worth of easing this year.—
Bloomberg Wire,
Dallas Morning News,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The ex-governor, who was recalled in 2003 and replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger, acknowledged his comments won’t please Democrats worried about the party’s large field splintering support, resulting in two Republicans advancing to the November runoff.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Carter recalled Bethany saying.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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