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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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 Even with a stellar starting rotation and a lineup of superstar hitters, a World Series can be lost if the Dodgers remain liable to cough up leads in the final innings. Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026 The mold could cause infections that may lead to coughing up blood in people with allergic reactions or certain lung diseases, as well as fever and other symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Julia Gomez, USA Today, 15 June 2026 Weathers has coughed up multiple homers in five of his 13 starts this season, but big flies have been particularly problematic for him over his last three games. Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 13 June 2026 Tony appealed to the state to force the county to cough up more money. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
  • Willow Nightingale relinquished the championship in May due to a shoulder injury that also forced her out of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, leading AEW to create this match to crown a new champion.
    Rob Wolkenbrod, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • But for Iran, reopening the strait does not mean relinquishing control of it.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 29 June 2026
Verb
  • About 11,000 light-years away from Earth, the supernova Cassiopeia A’s X-rays (seen above) are rendered in blue and purple, while infrared wavelengths are shown in red and white using data from JWST.
    Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 July 2026
  • Still, Twain squandered his own fortune and Livy’s inheritance on developing Paige’s invention, even as the Mergenthaler Linotype became the industry standard, rendering Paige’s machine worthless.
    Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • In a friendly in Tokyo last October, Brazil surrendered a two-goal halftime lead and watched Japan pull ahead for an eventual 3-2 victory.
    Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 June 2026
  • More than 700 dogs remain unaccounted for Investigators have reviewed records showing that 918 dogs had been surrendered and transferred to Miranda’s Rescue from January 2025 to April 2026, Honsal said.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Verb
  • Subscribe Sign Up ARTnews Today Newsletter Up-to-the-minute art news, delivered straight to your inbox.
    artnews.com, artnews.com, 29 June 2026
  • Album with Major Performance Cardi B delivered a high-energy performance of multiple tracks from her Am I the Drama?
    Jack Irvin, PEOPLE, 29 June 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 5 Jul. 2026.

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