cop-out 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce cop-out (audio)
Definition of cop-outnext
as in escape
the act or a means of getting or keeping away from something undesirable I think that saying you're sick is just a cop-out to get out of going to work

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cop out

2 of 2

verb

as in to back out
to break a promise or agreement don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cop-out
Noun
Please don’t say Darwin Nunez — David C. Waugh: This may seem like a cop-out answer, but Newcastle are confident that, as things stand, Alexander Isak is going nowhere. — Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025 Their talk is confidential, even from us, which is a bit of a cop-out. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
  1. escape
  2. back out
  3. evasion
  4. back down
  5. avoidance
  6. back off
  7. recall
Noun
  • The Reality: Most Will Not Be Able to Enter Canada Trump’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants has left many searching for an escape, but Canada will not be a viable refuge for the vast majority.
    — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The escape comes one week after gun suspect Eric Cruz managed to slip away from a cop watching him at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia in Manhattan and run off while still wearing a hospital gown.
    — Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of escape
Verb
  • Extend arms and legs back out to the starting position.
    — Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Feel the mossy, sometimes humid air, and the sea breeze swept from the Beaufort bay. Shop and stroll After a slow breakfast at the inn, head back out for some sightseeing on foot.
    — Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of back out
Noun
  • Before leaving office, Joe Biden issued a controversial pardon for his son over tax evasion and federal gun charges.
    — Molly Nagle, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Sorrentino pled guilty to one count of tax evasion in January 2018, and his brother Marc pled guilty to one count of aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return.
    — Diane J. Cho, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of evasion
Verb
  • Once the foot is under the ball and has left the ground, a subtle flick of the ankle sends it forward to create the dipping motion that will bring it back down quickly.
    — Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
  • With a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals last week sent Brittany Marlowe Holberg's 1998 murder conviction back down to the trial court to decide how to proceed.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of back down
Noun
  • The real marvel, in this instance, being the avoidance of vulgarity.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Colin Kramer, a legislative representative and union steward for at the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704, said his local is doing something different this year by explicitly not calling for an avoidance of a government shutdown.
    — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of avoidance
Verb
  • Trump backed off his threat to double the steel and aluminum tariff rates for Canada after Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed to pause surcharges on electricity for US customers.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
  • On Tuesday, Canada backed off on a 25% surcharge the province of Ontario levied on eletricity exports to Michigan, Minnesota and New York after Trump threatened to double tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%.
    — Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of back off
Verb
  • The librarian recalled that following World War II, borrowers became more interested in topics such as home improvements, landscaping, gardening and interior decorating.
    — Eric Duvall, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Moving forward, recalling facts and making predictions will be less valuable.
    — Spencer Dorn, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of recall

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Cite this Entry

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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