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
Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
Such a cop-out is the underlying, depressing reality with all of these remakes: No change can be too daring, no update too significant.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
Many would have to raise their taxes as most do not allow for deficit spending (for the federal government, the optimal cop-out).
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2025
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
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
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
Noun
Ultimately, the labor export program shouldn’t be seen as a cop-out by the government but rather as a single element of a much larger jobs plan that ought to prioritize opportunities in the country.
—Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 20 June 2025
Such a cop-out is the underlying, depressing reality with all of these remakes: No change can be too daring, no update too significant.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
Many would have to raise their taxes as most do not allow for deficit spending (for the federal government, the optimal cop-out).
—Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 6 June 2025
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
Verb
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
-
Does travel allow for any form of escape from memory, or is escape impossible?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
15 June 2025
-
Related article Millions of protesters are expected at ‘No Kings’ rallies nationwide as President Trump’s military parade takes place on his 79th birthday The escape comes amid escalating nationwide protests against federal immigration enforcement.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
When Harper asks Pam if anyone ever left the group after just one turn of the Wheel, Pam — a true believer — can’t fathom backing out of the group.—
Jim Ruland,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
-
Finding his courage, Spike convinces his mom to follow him back out into the world, hoping to find a cure or simply some kind of explanation.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
18 June 2025
Noun
-
His father was a Genovese gangster murdered by the Colombo crime family in retaliation for committing two slayings — a story people told Pappa as a child — and his stepfather was locked up for drug and tax evasion charges.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
9 June 2025
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Gold smuggling is on the rise, fueling concerns over laundering and evasion of international sanctions.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
6 June 2025
Verb
-
Newton challenged her stance, questioning how her comments aligned with the idea of uplifting women, but Michelle didn’t back down.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
16 June 2025
-
That means that for years, garbage trucks had to back down this dead end to make pickups -- a regular, noisy nuisance.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 June 2025
Noun
-
Organizational Consequences Of Dysregulation When leaders consistently model unregulated behavior—whether through avoidance, defensiveness or outbursts—the effects permeate the organization.—
Andriana Eliadis,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2025
-
The rest are basically asking teams not to be too terrible in categories like clutch hitting, home run avoidance on the mound, contact hitting and speed.—
Neil Paine,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Verb
-
With one out and nobody on base, Padres starter Randy Vásquez threw an inside, knee-high heater for ball one, brushing Ohtani back off the plate.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
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On Friday, police Capt. Charles Lara said the department has since backed off that practice in order to come into full compliance with state law known as SB 34, which dictates what can be shared with out-of-state or federal agencies.—
Teri Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2025
Verb
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Comments Midway through season 6 of Boy Meets World, Rider Strong recalls feeling tired of acting out dramatic storylines for his character Shawn Hunter.—
Daysia Tolentino,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
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Now the court returned to the Erie doctrine which, it will be recalled, requires a federal court sitting in diversity jurisdiction to apply state substantive law but federal procedural law.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.
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