as in relinquished
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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Recent Examples of coughed up
Even taking into account the buy-out clauses Abramovich paid Porto to hire Villas-Boas and Clearlake and its partners coughed up for Brighton’s Graham Potter, coaches do not cost anywhere near as much as players.
—
James Horncastle, New York Times, 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
That is almost double what spectators would have coughed up for entry into last year’s matchup, according to ticket-sales analyst Victory Resale.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2026
Brooklyn struggled to generate anything clean, coughed up seven turnovers that led to 14 Clippers points, and shot just 37% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the first half.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
The ball was coughed up by Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright, and the Patriots took over possession at the Dolphins’ 37-yard line.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Lakers lost 128-106 to Pistons on LeBron’s 41st birthday as Detroit dominated the paint with 74 points while the Lakers coughed up 21 turnovers.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
And the unit as a whole coughed up two giveaways that led to 14 points for the opposition.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Robinson even coughed up a fumble in the red zone.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
James Horncastle, New York Times, 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
That is almost double what spectators would have coughed up for entry into last year’s matchup, according to ticket-sales analyst Victory Resale.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2026
Brooklyn struggled to generate anything clean, coughed up seven turnovers that led to 14 Clippers points, and shot just 37% from the field and 25% from 3-point range in the first half.
—C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Jan. 2026
The ball was coughed up by Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright, and the Patriots took over possession at the Dolphins’ 37-yard line.
—Doug Kyed, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026
Lakers lost 128-106 to Pistons on LeBron’s 41st birthday as Detroit dominated the paint with 74 points while the Lakers coughed up 21 turnovers.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2025
And the unit as a whole coughed up two giveaways that led to 14 points for the opposition.
—Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2025
Robinson even coughed up a fumble in the red zone.
—Miami Herald, 26 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coughed up
Verb
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Jakrajutatip also relinquished her roles at the Miss Universe Organization.—
Theresa Braine,
Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2025
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Meanwhile, 81 animals have already been relinquished and are expected to become available for adoption through Sammie’s Friends at the Nevada County Animal Shelter once medically cleared.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Without accounting for these forces, history is rendered flat and malleable—ideal for manipulation by fascist politics.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Jan. 2026
-
This season, Roseberry continued his mission with a haute couture collection that featured replica reptilian textures, protruding tusk breasts, scorpion bustiers and a translucent two-piece skirt suit rendered in hyperreal blowfish scales.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Only later did Wright discover that Valerio was surrendered to the shelter after biting his previous owner’s elderly mother in the face.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
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Brooklyn surrendered just four points over a long stretch, and Sharpe’s steal led to a Tyrese Martin breakaway dunk that tied the game at 70.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Stocks @ Night is a daily newsletter delivered after hours, giving you a first look at tomorrow and last look at today.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
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The physician examines and treats patients; manages medical needs and makes sure care is delivered according to professional medical standards.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Virtually half the team has turned over after going 9-4 in what now is last season.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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The case will be turned over to the Prosecutor’s Office for review after the investigation.—
Jalen Williams,
Freep.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Once again, DeSoto has turned in a 5A figure.—
Charles Baggarly,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Jan. 2026
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Among the biggest turnarounds, however, were turned in by Big Ten rivals Ohio and Michigan, which had previously been in a population slump marked by negative net domestic migration and worrisome natural population declines — more deaths than births.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So existential was the plight of the Reader, which has continued to lose money since converting to a nonprofit nearly four years ago, that its board handed over the keys to Noisy Creek in August in a complex ownership transfer that has yet to be consummated.—
Robert Channick,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Jan. 2026
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The jewelry store owners are accused of laundering gold originally purchased by elderly victims of fraud and handed over to couriers who are operating scams in the DFW area and across the country.—
J.D. Miles,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coughed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coughed%20up. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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