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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 cough up
Durán has two years of team control remaining after this season, so the Phillies would have to cough up a considerable amount as a result.
—
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Idaho taxpayers are going to have to cough up more money to settle the score between a now-defunct Boise coffee shop and the state’s biggest university.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 24 Mar. 2025
Like Truman’s loyalty program, McCarthy’s hearings operated on the assumption that fear would produce compliance and compliance would produce new allegations, as witness after witness coughed up information on friends and allies.
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Given that Bednar would not be a rental, the Cubs would have to cough up more than just the bare minimum.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Apr. 2025
Idaho taxpayers are going to have to cough up more money to settle the score between a now-defunct Boise coffee shop and the state’s biggest university.
—Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 24 Mar. 2025
Like Truman’s loyalty program, McCarthy’s hearings operated on the assumption that fear would produce compliance and compliance would produce new allegations, as witness after witness coughed up information on friends and allies.
—Beverly Gage, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Given that Bednar would not be a rental, the Cubs would have to cough up more than just the bare minimum.
—David Faris, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
-
Fittingly posted on a Wednesday (April 23), the two-minute preview opens with Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday making her way back to Nevermore Academy, a journey that involves the teenager reluctantly relinquishing her many weapons to TSA agents at an airport.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
23 Apr. 2025
-
But the Trump administration is now relinquishing its influence over the multilateral system, preferring instead to handle countries one by one, transaction by transaction.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The ability to render the real world using charcoal is utter trickery.—
Emily Wilson,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
-
All of that renders the actual heist more of a chore than an adventure, where more time is spent on the inner workings of a safe than taking advantage of Chekhov’s laser field.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
While it’s been relatively rare for charter schools in Fort Worth to surrender their charters, Rocketship Texas’ closure comes about a year after the closure of another local campus, for similar reasons.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Apr. 2025
-
Several hours later, around 4:30 p.m., the suspect in the killing, 47-year-old Terrell Gibbs, contacted police and agreed to surrender, Sprecco said.—
Christian Martinez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
But after such a storming end to the league campaign and scoring 30 goals without reply on the four-game route to the final, Wrexham’s women are hopeful of delivering their half of a notable club double.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Accompanied by two female backup singers wearing cowboy hats, a trumpet player and Grupo Frontera’s signature ensemble of accordion, keyboards and guitars, the band delivered a dynamic and cohesive performance.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
24 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share