cough up

Definition of cough upnext
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

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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 Loyal Trump supporters are coughing up five-digit sums to their respective national fundraising committees for a ticket. Zak Hudak, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026 For weeks, lawmakers have complained about exorbitant fees for the privilege of attending their own party’s event — with some VIP tickets costing as much as $250,000 and lawmakers having to cough up $25,000 to attend. Daniel Strauss, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026 Symptoms include, among others, a persistent cough for three or more weeks, chest pain, coughing up blood and a fever. Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 The availability of my driver’s license to anyone willing to cough up a fee isn’t exactly a comforting thought. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
  • Underhill ended the discussion by proposing that Diamantis relinquish the Greek passport to the court when it was returned to him.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Some insiders believed that the studio would ultimately relinquish the film and return rights to the movie to its producers.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • There are plenty of jump scares, to be sure, but also hilarious moments that play like deadpan one-liners rendered in visual terms.
    Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • According to new Gallup polling, 27% of US workers worry that technology will render their jobs obsolete, a new high.
    Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • When Feldstein arrived, around midnight, Braverman got into his car and asked him to surrender his phone to an aide standing outside.
    Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • After surrendering 28 first-half points, JSerra held Bishop Amat scoreless, and running back Justin Clinton, who rushed for more than 130 yards, including a 67-yard burst and a 43-yard touchdown, in check in the second half.
    Joel Beers, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • French President Emanuel Macron delivered a briefing to the candidates running to succeed him so disturbing that even the far-right National Rally’s leaders emerged denouncing Russian hybrid attacks.
    Ben Smith, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026
  • In a dignified ceremony, Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and Aurora Deputy Mayor Casey Cuevas delivered the proclamations to Fox Valley Harmonizers president Ralph Ferguson and Aurora Lamplighter Chorus president Lester Grossman.
    Tom Strong, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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