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
Relevance
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
Based on 2024 error rates, only Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Wisconsin, and Wyoming will not have to cough up for a share of the benefits, though they will still be required to bear more of the administrative costs.
—
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Gagging and coughing up water, Ryland rolls out of the bag and falls to the floor of a spaceship.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 July 2025
But Hendricks and the Angels’ defense combined to cough up that lead – and then some – in a four-run fifth inning in which only two of Houston’s runs were earned.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Duran has 2 1/2 years of team control left, per Spotrac, so the Dodgers would have to cough up a significant return back to Minnesota.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
Gagging and coughing up water, Ryland rolls out of the bag and falls to the floor of a spaceship.
—Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 26 July 2025
But Hendricks and the Angels’ defense combined to cough up that lead – and then some – in a four-run fifth inning in which only two of Houston’s runs were earned.
—Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 22 June 2025
Duran has 2 1/2 years of team control left, per Spotrac, so the Dodgers would have to cough up a significant return back to Minnesota.
—Drew Vonscio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
-
Jones is not relinquishing his strong negotiating position Jones and Parsons would meet in March to discuss the linebacker’s role on the team going forward.—
Steve Silverman,
Forbes.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
While a strong federal government may be central to the Democratic Party's identity, maintaining that objective likely requires relinquishing control from the capital and encouraging state politicos to explore new ways to achieve success.—
Alex J. Rouhandeh,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The gauzy, dark concerts from (famously) Nirvana, Sinéad O’Connor, and Alicia Keys render the operatic intimate, and highlight good tunes in a way stadium polish just can’t.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
22 Aug. 2025
-
Kobel said a nurse and doctor affiliated with MUSC Health University Medical Center quickly rendered aid, ensuring the best outcome.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Formally surrenders Crossword Clue Answer is... Answer: CEDES For more on USA TODAY's Crossword Puzzles This crossword clue page was generated automatically using information from puzzles.usatoday.com.—
Sally Hoelscher,
USA Today,
24 Aug. 2025
-
Once Noriega surrendered and no longer posed a threat to U.S. interests in the Canal Zone, the U.S. military turned him over to federal agents.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
23 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Each bite of this classic comfort food delivers taste and textural elements that perfectly compliment each other.—
Robin Miller,
AZCentral.com,
23 Aug. 2025
-
The Fed's wild west dilemma Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to deliver a keynote address Friday at the central bank’s annual conference.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 4 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share