cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
cooperated; cooperating; cooperates
Synonyms of cooperate

intransitive verb

1
: to act or work with another or others : act together or in compliance
refused to cooperate with the police
2
: to associate with another or others for mutual benefit
nations cooperating to fight terrorism
cooperator
kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of cooperate

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Examples of cooperate in a Sentence

It will be much easier if everyone cooperates. Several organizations cooperated in the relief efforts. The country agreed to cooperate with the other nations on the trade agreement. The mother asked the child to put on his pajamas, but the child refused to cooperate. Witnesses were willing to cooperate.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Strike team leader Jamie Callahan will work to ensure state agencies are cooperating with local governments and LA28 so the Games run smoothly. — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Mongolia, which maintains relations with Pyongyang, has been slow to cooperate. — Jieun Baek, Foreign Affairs, 30 Oct. 2026 Daniel Solis, who was cooperating undercover with the feds, the response stated. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026 Pope Leo also had a role in urging the Russian and Ukrainian leaders to cooperate on a ceasefire. — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cooperate

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin cooperatus, past participle of cooperari, from Latin co- + operari to work — more at operate

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooperate was in 1582

Rhymes for cooperate

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Browse Nearby Words

cooperant
cooperate
cooperation
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Cite this Entry

“Cooperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooperate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cooperate

verb
co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
cooperated; cooperating
: to act, work, or associate with others so as to get something done
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