cop-out 1 of 2

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

Examples 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
The first would be seen as a cop-out by hawkish elements in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which saw one of its facilities hit and its missile production capacity depleted. Daniel Depetris, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2024 And that is not a cop-out answer, but the correct answer. Dane Brugler, The Athletic, 21 Aug. 2024 So many movies depict tech bringing out the worst in people, leaving us with the sort of cop-out villainy of computers are bad! Jordan Crucchiola, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2024 But to shift that responsibility back onto your consumers (by enticing them with a gift card) feels like a cop-out. Lindy Segal, Curbed, 18 Sep. 2024 Alcohol was frequently mentioned as a contributing factor to this mindset, suggesting that—in some cases—intoxication provided an easy cop-out for the affair. Mark Travers, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2024 It’s often dismissed as a trivial punishment for children, or as an easy cop-out for difficult conversations. Mark Travers, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 Refusing to continue isn’t a cop-out so much as an affirmation of everything else precious that fills one’s days. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2024 But in addition to being just plain dumb, that conclusion also seems like a cop-out. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 3 May 2024
Verb
About 20 minutes later, the two cops out in front were joined by a third officer. Melody Chiu, People.com, 7 Jan. 2025 The judges avoid giving critiques to the girls this week but do talk among one another, which is kind of weird but also means that nobody gets to cop out of Rate-a-Queen and just imitate the judges. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2025 Yair Lapid, Israel’s opposition leader, also condemned Israel’s move dubbing it a cop out. Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 16 Dec. 2024 Who's the cat that won't cop out when there's danger all about? Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 July 2024 He was walked by cops out of the 105th Precinct in handcuffs Thursday morning and later arraigned in Queens Criminal Supreme Court on murder charges. Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 30 May 2024 As for Butler, his answer was Timothée Chalamet, which is a cop out. Tom Smyth, Vulture, 23 Feb. 2024 The performances by Robert De Niro and Al Pacino as, respectively, a thief and the cop out to catch him bring such intensity and power to the film. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2024 Needless to say, my hot glue gun gets a lot of action, and after my last one copped out, my shopping research brought me to a life-changing discovery: cordless glue guns actually exist. Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cop-out
Noun
  • Chances are, with this cheat seemingly becoming more of an issue, a lot of Escape From Tarkov players will switch to the controversial PvE mode in the coming days to avoid them.
    Mike Stubbs, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
  • Divine retribution was a central theme, but the possibility of escape was often embedded.
    Teju Cole, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While all these risks are adding up, the insurance industry hasn’t been able to deliver new solutions to provide adequate coverage, instead backing out of certain areas.
    Jennifer Castenson, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
  • The defense has to go right back out there against a really good offensive attack.
    Joseph Person, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • The podcaster — who has served as Grayson's legal guardian while their parents Todd and Julie Chrisley serve time in prison after being convicted in June 2022 of fraud and tax evasion — opened up about her brother leaving for college during the Dec. 31 episode of her Unlocked podcast.
    Gil Macias, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
  • His wife, Misty Noel, and daughter, Kasey Noel, face charges of theft and tax evasion, and are scheduled to go on trial Feb. 3, 2025.
    Leo Bertucci, The Courier-Journal, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Within a few hours, Yoon had backed down, but the crisis wasn’t over, with calls for his resignation and impeachment growing.
    Elizabeth Shackelford, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
  • All signs point toward the Eagles here but Jordan Love won't back down.
    Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In general, the reciprocal trust doctrine is a rule that attempts to prevent certain tax avoidance through the structuring of trusts that are interrelated and ultimately place the trust’s beneficiaries in similar economic positions.
    Darren T. Case, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
  • Complete avoidance, while providing temporary reprieve from conflict, might inadvertently cement a rift with your family and make future reconciliation more difficult.
    Lori Gottlieb, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The point guard backed off to the perimeter as Jokic sized up Wembanyama and prepared to improvise.
    Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 4 Jan. 2025
  • After major backlash this week, which coincided with the killing of another insurer’s CEO in New York City, Anthem backed off.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • The trick is to use at least two shades of blush and a highlighter to recall a beachside sunset on the skin.
    Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2025
  • Linda Rosa recalled of the incident Comments An elderly New York City woman fought off four potential robbers on New Year’s Day.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near cop-out

Cite this Entry

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cop-out. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

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