cop-out

1 of 2

noun

ˈkäp-ˌau̇t How to pronounce cop-out (audio)
Synonyms of cop-out
1
: the act or an instance of copping out
2
: an excuse or means for copping out : pretext
3
: a person who cops out

cop out

2 of 2

verb

copped out; copping out; cops out

intransitive verb

1
: to back out (as of an unwanted responsibility)
cop out on jury duty
2
: to avoid or neglect problems, responsibilities, or commitments
accused the mayor of copping out on the issue

Synonyms of cop-out

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of cop-out in a Sentence

Noun I think that saying you're sick is just a cop-out to get out of going to work Verb don't cop out on your promise to pay for the damage
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.
Noun
But the union is not wrong to call this a cop-out, either. — Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2026 But merely saying that is a cop-out. — Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
The relative lack of substance across the board can’t help feeling like a cop out for a show that’s been capable of a lot more. — Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 14 June 2025 Climb the 900-odd steps (or cop out in a car) for a walk through its eight baroque bastions and some breathtaking views. — Helen Brown, TheWeek, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cop-out

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1959, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cop-out was in 1959

Rhymes for cop-out

See All Rhymes for cop-out

Browse Nearby Words

copolymerize
cop-out
cop out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cop-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cop-out. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

cop-out

1 of 2 noun
ˈkäp-ˌau̇t
1
: an act or instance of copping out
2
: something that provides a way for someone to cop out
3
: a person who cops out

cop out

2 of 2 verb
(ˈ)käp-ˈau̇t
1
: to back out of something one does not want to do
said I was copping out of the race because I was afraid I'd lose
2
: to avoid or take the easy way out of something one ought to do
cop out on a promise
cop out on a cause
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All