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

Maybe that’s a cop-out — an excuse to not deliver the narrative oomph most features need to feel substantial, or worthwhile. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 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

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

In the newer buildings—built in the same style as the original house—some accommodations feature a private pool and garden area, which is the perfect space for a small family, bridal suite, or honeymoon escape.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
The burglars dropped the other two paintings—the 1895 Portrait of Madame Pichon and the 1905 Coco Lisant—in the garden of the museum while making their escape.

— News Desk, Artforum, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

Now, Williams is ready to grow it all back out again — despite her friends telling her how great her short cut looks short.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 9 Oct. 2026
And to be clear, there’s no way around the fact that putting him back out there comes with the risk of a more serious, long-term injury.

— Tashan Reed, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of back out

Verb

However, a lack of specifics boiled over after Meta's second-quarter earnings miss and disappointing guidance in late July, sending the stock right back down.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026
The perception surely irked a man who was just following organizational advice, but Claire never backed down from his role in the deal.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of back down

Noun

Haloed in distorted guitar and jagged synths, Wolf comes off as a champion of her own avoidance, her heroism charmingly pathetic.

— Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026
Families of the victims say the findings strengthen their call for Congress to require collision-avoidance technology as lawmakers work to reconcile competing aviation safety bills.

— Josh Funk, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of avoidance

Verb

Costello almost released his earliest recordings 35 years ago, then backed off.

— Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 4 Oct. 2026
Down 3-1 in the eighth, Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto went back-to-back off an obscure reliever named Clayton Kershaw … and then that Nationals team, too, went on to win the World Series.

— Jayson Stark, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of back off

Verb

From Fall 2019, Vaccarello’s collections began not only to recall Saint Laurent’s gestures, but to expand upon and modernize them — testing the extremes of the founder’s silhouettes and codes to generate almost unbearable visual tension.

— Luke Leitch, Vogue, 9 Oct. 2026
One lot of a dietary supplement for babies has been voluntarily recalled due to alcohol content.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

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 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cop-out

noun

verb

Example Sentences

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