COP-OUTS 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Verb

But the Academy eventually backed down from that idea after the WGA and DGA took issue with the Emmy proposals; the Academy’s director and writer peer groups drafted a compromise.

— Michael Schneider, Variety, 17 July 2026
That was resistance for most of the past year, and since March it's flipped into support, the stock has come back down to test it a handful of times on pullbacks and bounced every time.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of back down

Noun

For locomotion, researchers insert tiny electrodes directly into the cockroach's antennae to hijack its natural obstacle-avoidance behavior.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 18 July 2026
Every improvement in surveillance capability encourages new methods of avoidance, whether through disabling tracking devices, manipulating vessel identities, or exploiting gaps between different monitoring systems.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 16 July 2026

Definition of avoidance

Verb

Supplier Taylor Farms de Mexico has recalled iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the US market.

— Blake Ellis, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
According to Grassley, the FBI’s stated reason for recalling the report was concern that its contents would contradict then-FBI Director Christopher Wray’s congressional testimony.

— Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

copiousness

cop-out

cop out

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cop-out

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

raffish

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Longest Long Words List

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes