COP OUT Synonyms: 58 Similar and Opposite Words

cop-out 1 of 2

noun

ˈkäp-ˌau̇t

Definition of cop-out

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Maybe that’s a cop-out — an excuse to not deliver the narrative oomph most features need to feel substantial, or worthwhile. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2026 Retreating to one’s room in the middle of the day feels like a cop-out at many places, but here the indoor-outdoor flow transforms a late-afternoon nap into a pleasure without the guilt. — Alex Postman, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Verb

Rather than throwing those bad cops out of the union and asking for better training so cops will never have to ask what to do when a fellow cop appears to have broken the law, Hendry encourages them. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Feb. 2026 Herman views the administration’s statements about the complexity of the refund process—and the need for the CIT’s intervention—as a bit of a cop out. — Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cop-out

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out

Noun

Na Praia won’t be open until summer 2027, but the proprietors of the beloved pastoral escape that is São Lourenço do Barrocal east of Comporta are promising an exquisite new offering of suites, houses, and villas nestled into the dunes themselves.

— Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
In 1959, the Dalai Lama fled Tibet through the Himalayas; a smokejumper designed a special high-altitude parachute to drop three hundred thousand Indian rupees to his escape party.

— M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of escape

Verb

It was scheduled after Sandburg had its original Week 2 opponent back out.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
The department store had promised to place a new store there until economic difficulties following COVID-19 prompted Nordstrom’s, in 2022, to back out.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of back out

Noun

Grossman, the attorney representing Ream and Morris in the two cases, agrees that there was massive tax evasion when the ban was passed.

— Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
Last December, Galvan admitted paying the bribe and pleaded guilty to one count of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of evasion of tax assessment.

— Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of evasion

Verb

Since then, Hochman has been slammed for playing politics, embarrassing his office and even backing down for no reason other than the pressure was too intense.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Jelly Roll isn’t backing down from making jokes at the president’s expense, with the country star once again taking aim at Donald Trump‘s physique during his guest-hosting stint on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

— Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of back down

Noun

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the upgrade is intended to support mission-essential navigation and weather avoidance while improving the aircraft’s capabilities for both conventional and nuclear missions.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026
Delaying a medical appointment is a common response to feeling stressed about what’s going on with your body, according to a 2021 study on health care avoidance.

— Glamour, Glamour, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of avoidance

Verb

In anticipation of a Friday meeting between Newsom and the leaders of the Senate and Assembly, Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Santa Monica) rallied legislators to implore the governor to back off.

— Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Despite the tough talk, Beijing has seen the US threaten – and then back off from – sweeping sanctions before.

— Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of back off

Verb

Those songs and more were performed during his set by an ace band that included two drummers, whose polyrhythmic beat recalled the Burundi-like drumming of Ant’s 1980 masterpiece Kings of the Wild Frontier.

— David Chiu, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Cole recalled how, at the close of those early shows, the drawings were removed from their frames and returned to Auckland, to be put back in their cupboards.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of recall

Browse Nearby Words

copiousness

cop-out

cop out

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“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of cop-out

noun

verb

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