as in to relinquish
to give (something) over to the control or possession of another usually under duress
finally got my brother to cough up the dough he owed me
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Recent Examples of cough up
The $294 a month that residential customers paid at the outset of 2024 was 22% higher than the $241 a month PG&E ratepayers had to cough up in January 2023.
—
George Avalos, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
And the unit as a whole coughed up two giveaways that led to 14 points for the opposition.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
On the Dolphins’ first drive, tight end Greg Dulcich coughed up the ball on third down that defensive end Myles Murphy eventually recovered.
—Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
The cave floor was covered in layers of fossils — including sloths, birds, and reptiles — mostly derived from owl pellets (indigestible remains coughed up by owls).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
George Avalos, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025
And the unit as a whole coughed up two giveaways that led to 14 points for the opposition.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
On the Dolphins’ first drive, tight end Greg Dulcich coughed up the ball on third down that defensive end Myles Murphy eventually recovered.
—Miami Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
The cave floor was covered in layers of fossils — including sloths, birds, and reptiles — mostly derived from owl pellets (indigestible remains coughed up by owls).
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
-
As Buffett relinquishes the helm, investors are increasingly focused on what disappears with him.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
1 Jan. 2026
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More typically, the figures in Marshall’s art are haunted by a past that refuses to relinquish its tenacious hold.—
James Meyer,
Artforum,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This transformation renders the target — the frozen limit — a finite object that a finite computer can handle.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
9 Jan. 2026
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Its three glittering diamonds had a powerful effect on Sophie Rhys-Jones—rendering her speechless.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Leaning on do-everything running back Bijan Robinson would make a lot of sense, except the Colts hold teams to just 87 rushing yards per game (fourth fewest) and have surrendered only six rushing touchdowns in nine games.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Economic strain is one of the leading reasons animals are surrendered to shelters, spokesperson Kirsten Peek said.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Another Republican, Sen John Cornyn of Texas, had to fly back from Texas to deliver the crucial 60th vote.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
10 Nov. 2025
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While Kyle Shanahan’s team continues to battle the injury bug, the coach and his staff keep finding ways to win games as backups have assumed vital roles and have delivered.—
Mike Jones,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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