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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cough up
The recent hospitalization comes nearly a year after he was hospitalized for coughing up blood and coming down with a fever in February 2025, TMZ previously reported.
—
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
So much of writing is battling your own mind to cough up the clearest idea or best word.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Previous health concerns In March, Aaron was rushed to the hospital in California after coughing up blood, but a cause of the symptoms was never publicly revealed.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The true nature of Colby’s identity and place in the community, however, is coughed up late into the film via a predictable twist that generates broad laughs but feels below a filmmaker of Decker’s intelligence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
So much of writing is battling your own mind to cough up the clearest idea or best word.
—Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Previous health concerns In March, Aaron was rushed to the hospital in California after coughing up blood, but a cause of the symptoms was never publicly revealed.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The true nature of Colby’s identity and place in the community, however, is coughed up late into the film via a predictable twist that generates broad laughs but feels below a filmmaker of Decker’s intelligence.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
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His father refused to relinquish his grudge, as Dreher saw it, and his mother always went along with her husband.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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Notable sellers include Bruce Springsteen, who in 2021 made a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to relinquish his master recordings and songs for $500 million.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Beer that turned green − possibly a chemical reaction with the drugs Dominque Pelicot had been slipping into her drinks and food to render her unconscious for the rapes.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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However, last week the environmental groups submitted filings that requested the panel conduct oral arguments before rendering a decision.—
Rob Nikolewski,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The last time Sarah made a public appearance was on September 25 of last year, before surrendering her Duchess of York title in October.—
Rachel Burchfield,
InStyle,
20 Feb. 2026
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Here's what happens to the items that are surrendered at TSA.—
Iona Brannon,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere in boys hockey action, Brian Dilisio delivered a hat trick that proved the difference for Essex Tech, anchoring a 4-1 win over Martha’s Vineyard to take the tournament championship.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
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Glenn, who became the first woman since Kwan to win three consecutive national titles, will come in as the heavy favorite but Liu, the only member of the team with Olympic experience, and the 18-year-old Levito, a silver medalist at worlds, could deliver just as easily.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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