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
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 That may sound like a cop-out, but the word has a deeper resonance on a show about women over 50. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2025 As a result, a conclusion that seems like it’s supposed to be shocking lands as a glib, abrupt cop-out. Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025 As a result, a conclusion that seems like it’s supposed to be shocking lands as a glib, abrupt cop-out. Judy Berman, Time, 10 Apr. 2025 This may seem like a cop-out and a way of avoiding getting caught up in the current attack on the trans community, but Coon doesn’t believe the choice has anything to do with White’s willingness to engage in important dialogues. Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 30 Mar. 2025 Onya thinks the other girls, except Suzie, gave cop-out answers, and those girls are defensive. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 21 Mar. 2025 To think there’s no such thing as a perfect leader or workplace to strive for is unnerving—and feels like a cop-out. Kent Ingle, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 This may seem like a cop-out answer, but Newcastle are confident that, as things stand, Alexander Isak is going nowhere. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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 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 Yair Lapid, Israel’s opposition leader, also condemned Israel’s move dubbing it a cop out. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024 Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about? Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024 He was walked by cops out of the 105th Precinct in handcuffs Thursday morning and later arraigned in Queens Criminal Supreme Court on murder charges. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
  • What was an escape turned into nine piano compositions made available on various platforms, including Spotify, after feedback on Instagram.
    Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • Boyd, 19, who was facing charges of second-degree murder before the escape, was the latest inmate captured.
    Peter D'Abrosca , Nate Foy, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • With seven seconds left on the clock, Haliburton took the ball the full length of the floor, crossed-over Mikal Bridges, then met Mitchell Robinson in the paint before retreating back out to the top of the key and heaving a shot from downtown.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
  • And that could mean reaching back out to free agent reliever David Robertson, after it was reported the Phillies already contacted him about a possible reunion.
    Peter Chawaga, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 May 2025
Noun
  • The same language figures in each, the same threats, means of evasion, forms of institutional hostility.
    Tim Brinkhof, JSTOR Daily, 21 May 2025
  • Especially not someone like Rose, whose transgressions went far beyond the playing field and included everything from a tax evasion conviction to an extramarital affair with a teenager.
    Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Some of the students challenged the move in court, but the government later backed down in the legal fight.
    Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 17 May 2025
  • Because when these Knicks play like this — urgent, connected, relentless — there’s no opponent too skilled or seasoned to bring them back down to earth.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • This smacks of the classic PR strategy of avoidance, which always works in a market like Chicago for a team like the Bears.
    Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 22 May 2025
  • The robot's dual 96-line lidar sensors and wide-angle cameras feed data into its onboard processors, enabling real-time mapping, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance and autonomous navigation, even in low visibility or completely dark environments.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Economists, for now, are not expecting a recession this year now that Trump has backed off his highest tariffs.
    Lisa Kailai Han,Sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 21 May 2025
  • After a call between President Trump and Mr. Putin on Monday, the White House backed off its demand that Russia declare an immediate cease-fire.
    Jeanna Smialek, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Torres recalled how her slain sibling had been dating someone else before taking up with the new boyfriend — with Lisette’s life then falling to pieces over the course of a few spiraling months, according to her sister.
    Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • Zoltan also recalls how, just prior to the crash, Mansfield had been sitting in the backseat of the car with her three children.
    Carita Rizzo, People.com, 17 May 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 30 May. 2025.

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