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
Trump was not immediately required to cough up the whole sum, putting down a $175 million bond in the wake of the trial outcome.
—
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
According to Gerald, Bob went to the hospital after coughing up blood and was scheduled for tests.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Running back Chris Brooks coughed up a reception near the goal line, running back Josh Jacobs dropped a short pass that was then almost intercepted, and wideout Will Sheppard dropped a pass not long after a miscommunication with quarterback Sean Clifford led to a near-interception.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are telling her estranged brother to cough up some money.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025
According to Gerald, Bob went to the hospital after coughing up blood and was scheduled for tests.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Running back Chris Brooks coughed up a reception near the goal line, running back Josh Jacobs dropped a short pass that was then almost intercepted, and wideout Will Sheppard dropped a pass not long after a miscommunication with quarterback Sean Clifford led to a near-interception.
—Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez are telling her estranged brother to cough up some money.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
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In May 2025, Kraft Heinz announced a strategic review aimed at unlocking shareholder value, and Berkshire Hathaway relinquished its board seats, signaling potential structural changes.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Shortly after Rose took the helm at the pageant, both Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt and Miss Teen USA UmaSofia Srivastava relinquished their titles.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Here, Ne Zha 2 succeeds wildly; locales such as a heavenly city made entirely of jade and a towering, bamboo-verdant waterfall are rendered with genuinely beautiful texture and detail.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
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All rendered by paleolithic artists using charcoal and red ochre.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But on a day when Mizzou amassed 595 total yards, converted 4 of 5 fourth downs and got an excellent effort from first-year starting quarterback Beau Pribula, surrendering possession had to fill Kansas followers with a sense of dread.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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After allowing 18 chunk plays against Appalachian State, Charlotte surrendered just eight on Saturday night.—
Hunter Bailey,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Sidefeel Corduroy Wide-leg Pants Corduroy is the epitome of fall fashion, and these flare pants deliver all the cozy, retro vibes without sacrificing comfort.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Sep. 2025
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Under orders from General Erinmore (Colin Firth), the pair must traverse enemy lines to deliver a life-or-death message to Colonel Mackenzie (Benedict Cumberbatch), halting an attack that would endanger more than 1,000 men.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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