COP OUT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

cop-out 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäp-ˌau̇t

Definition of cop-out

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

as in to back out

to break a promise or agreement don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Verb

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 See All Example Sentences for cop-out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out

Noun

Inside, each cell had a toilet and a bed and was covered by wire netting, presumably to prevent escape.

— Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Local media suggest crowded conditions, obstructed escape routes, and panic may have hampered evacuation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

But Netflix backed out of the bidding in February after Paramount upped its takeout offer for all of WBD in a deal worth $111 billion.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 13 July 2026
But their erotic encounter is short-lived, as Joe tumbles and blows his back out while sheepishly dancing to Sade.

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026

Definition of back out

Noun

In the early days of the republic, there were many radicals and reformers who shared my suspicion that patriotism was an evasion, substituting songs and speeches about liberty for the reality.

— Dominic Erdozain, Time, 3 July 2026
The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026

Definition of evasion

Verb

The White House has dismissed these claims, but those who filed the lawsuit are not backing down.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 10 July 2026
Meneses, 34, was first called up this season when Gelof was last placed on the IL in June, but was sent back down when Gelof was recalled Saturday.

— Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of back down

Noun

The study says that reliance on a positive blood test without careful consideration of clinical symptoms may lead to overdiagnosis of the condition, which is managed solely through food avoidance.

— Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
Basic tax reforms, such as eliminating hedge funds’ and private equity firms’ avoidance of Medicare taxes, are also needed.

— Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Definition of avoidance

Verb

Uzbekistan went close to an equaliser before Jaminton Campaz scored in stoppage time, immediately followed by a shot at the other end that thundered back off the crossbar.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
When the Ku Klux Klan burned crosses on the lawn of other beach neighbors, the only Jewish family in town, my dad tracked down the local Klan leader and told him to back off, or else.

— Maureen Dowd, Mercury News, 4 July 2026

Definition of back off

Verb

Plans for fireworks were still moving forward in other cities including Chicago and New York, where tall ships passed the Statue of Liberty earlier in the day, recalling the fanfare around America’s 200th anniversary in 1976.

— Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
Pulisic recalled arriving at Pochettino’s temporary office for a meeting and hearing a country song.

— Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 5 July 2026

Definition of recall

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copiousness

cop-out

cop out

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Style

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cop-out

noun

verb

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