cough up

Definition of cough upnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 cough up Pitt receiver Tyreek Robinson’s fishing habit might never have reached Narduzzi’s attention if the Monongahela hadn’t coughed up a 5- to 6-pound bass worth bragging about. Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 At the time this post went live, the assistant continued to cough up the data, despite xAI being informed of it in June. Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 20 Aug. 2026 Russ could brick a wild bank shot, cough up the ball in crunch time and make fans want to launch their remotes through the TV. Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The 42-year-old righty has allowed nine homers in eight starts this season, permitting at least one in five turns and coughing up multiple home runs in three. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
  • Venus Venus will soon be relinquishing its dominance of the early evening sky.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • While Velocity Arts is within the city’s service area, the Utilities Department may relinquish this area to Evergy or another third party provider to serve the project, according to city documents.
    Taylor O'Connor August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Some soldiers distinguished themselves by helping to render emergency trauma response and first aid to civilians, earning individual service commendations, according to the Arkansas National Guard.
    Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The class also requires students to design, analyze and render complex 2D and 3D graphics, modeling, texturing, lighting and animation across multiple styles of video games.
    Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Paul Skenes, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, lasted all of 4 2/3 innings, having surrendered five runs on eight hits.
    Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • When the Blakes want the third iteration of their teenage son Geoff, young Nathan Donovan must surrender his mind for another’s—but the transfer fails, leaving both consciousnesses fighting for their survival.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Davis delivered a strong preseason, but he is now likely headed to a redshirt rookie season unless injuries strike at tackle.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists around the world are anticipating the unprecedented insights Roman could deliver.
    Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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