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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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
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 Their talk is confidential, even from us, which is a bit of a cop-out. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 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
  • These products are elegant extensions of experience — products that allow guests to carry a piece of the escape into real life, while quietly reinforcing brand affinity in the most personal spaces.
    Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
  • Photo: Cesar Bejar Quinta Amores For those seeking a slower, softer version of San Miguel de Allende, Quinta Amores offers a hushed escape on the edge of town.
    Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • After initially making a deal with Davis — agreeing to get Cap to sell in exchange for getting him out of prison — Yancy officially backs out of the deal, losing out on $22 million in order to retain the ranch and his relationship with Ellie.
    Francesca Gariano, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Another recruiter tests job seekers on responsibility, asking them to go back out the front door and come in the back through the kitchen.
    Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • According to the Global Tax Evasion Report 2024, tax evasion by wealthy individuals has declined by a factor of three over the last ten years.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the meantime, many of the wealthiest Americans have embraced tax evasion.
    Made by History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the financial and stock markets have not fully recovered from rising fears around the globe that Trump will not back down from slapping higher levies on foreign nations.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Many business owners back down at the first sign of conflict, undermining their credibility.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • His avoidance of assassination by quick reflexes to dodge a bullet's direct hit, and then rising up to display his resilience, provided a perfect tableau to emphasize his survival skills.
    Barbara A. Perry, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Instead, allergists recommend avoidance, exercise, or relying on over-the-counter medications to fight sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.
    Sarah Cottone, Health, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Even if investors are slightly more confident this week, after Trump backed off most of his harshest tariff rates, the changes in people’s life-style habits serve as their own kind of affective barometer.
    Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The new restrictions follow an NPR report that Trump had backed off from pursuing the H20 controls, in exchange for Nvidia investing in data centers.
    Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Friend recalls Read behavior, finding O'Keefe's body O'Keefe's friend, Kerry Roberts, recounted Read's behavior on the morning his body was found.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Mazin recalls a moment when Abby turns away from Joel and sees the golf clubs across the room.
    Katie Heaney, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!