as in relinquishing
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 coughing up
Or the bullpen coughing up an insurance run in the eighth inning, and last year’s hero, Luke Weaver, not even pitching because his season-long struggles had reached their nadir, scaring the Yankees away from using him.
—
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Newborns and frail older people often have a hard time coughing up the mucus, Hopkins says.
—Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Chase reeled in five catches for 50 yards, coughing up a fumble that was one of Cincinnati's five total turnovers.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025
The Patriots lost four fumbles, with Stevenson coughing up two of those, in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Dolphins.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Per The New York Times, he was diagnosed with the illness after coughing up blood onto his piano.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Not everyone infected with TB gets symptoms, but those with active cases can suffer from a persistent cough, including coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, fever, and fatigue.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
According to Gerald, Bob went to the hospital after coughing up blood and was scheduled for tests.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Chest pains, coughing that lasts for three weeks or more, and coughing up blood, are all symptoms of TB infection.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Newborns and frail older people often have a hard time coughing up the mucus, Hopkins says.
—Liz Szabo, Scientific American, 23 Sep. 2025
Chase reeled in five catches for 50 yards, coughing up a fumble that was one of Cincinnati's five total turnovers.
—Matt Audilet, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Sep. 2025
The Patriots lost four fumbles, with Stevenson coughing up two of those, in Sunday’s 21-14 loss to the Dolphins.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Per The New York Times, he was diagnosed with the illness after coughing up blood onto his piano.
—Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
Not everyone infected with TB gets symptoms, but those with active cases can suffer from a persistent cough, including coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, fever, and fatigue.
—Brie Stimson, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
According to Gerald, Bob went to the hospital after coughing up blood and was scheduled for tests.
—EW.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Chest pains, coughing that lasts for three weeks or more, and coughing up blood, are all symptoms of TB infection.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coughing up
Verb
-
The United States Military Academy graduate won just months after the previous winner, Noelia Voigt, shocked the world by relinquishing her crown, a bombshell action that was also taken by her younger counterpart, Miss Teen USA 2023.—
Alma Cooper,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
-
In Madagascar, Rajoelina has shown no signs of relinquishing power following his removal.—
Nimi Princewill,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Quietly, evil collapsed, while Maloyan’s virtue stood firm against brutal force, rendering that force powerless.—
Jenni Fink,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Other federal programs like the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement are also in limbo, rendering food banks unable to order supplies from the federal government.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The last time Ohtani took the mound was in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series, turning in a sterling six innings, allowing two hits and striking out 10 batters.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
The second writer on the Billitier project never saw a dime, despite turning in a treatment that would normally earn him a WGA minimum of $50,000.—
Steve Belanger,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Miami’s defense seemed flummoxed, giving up a 35-yard TD pass for the second TD.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
18 Oct. 2025
-
And the Titans are giving up the fifth-most yards per carry.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Andrew might not move to Sandringham until after the Christmas holidays, another source said, because giving notice, surrendering the lease and orchestrating the move is expected to take some time.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But while station owners no doubt had some worries about surrendering audience to streaming, Goldman says DWTS’s gains are proof that the two ecosystems can complement each other.—
Josef Adalian,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Richard Pitino will prove to be a good hire for the Musketeers, but the transition to a new coach and completely turning over the roster will make for a transition season.—
The Athletic College Basketball Staff,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Billups was released from custody under the conditions of turning over his passport, not contacting any of the 30-plus co-defendants charged, and not participating in any gambling activity.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
At the same time, Ncuti Gatwa, the 15th Doctor, exited the show under something of a cloud, seemingly handing over the keys to a familiar face in Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler.—
Max Goldbart,
Deadline,
28 Oct. 2025
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Instead of simply handing over the keys, the former owners have taken the new young ones under their wing, offering advice and hands-on help.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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His plays gleefully plumb the wickedest aspects of the human psyche, delivering tales of relentless conquest, Jewish perfidy, deals with the devil, and gay love.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
-
Messengers had to use side or back entrances when delivering contracts and blueprints and photobooks to banks, law firms, and fashion houses.—
Evan Friss,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coughing up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coughing%20up. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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