COUGHED UP Synonyms: 31 Similar and Opposite Words

coughed up

verb

past tense of cough up

as in relinquished

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

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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 coughed up Josh Giddey, the primary facilitator, coughed up five turnovers against six assists and struggled to progress the ball past midcourt. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 He was sacked five times by Florida and coughed up the game-clinching fumble before the Gators ran out the clock. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 To start the second half, Hoover found Davion Chandler for a quick slant, but Chandler fumbled, the first time the Hoosiers had coughed up the ball in 1,437 plays. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026 New York Yankees players paused the action to cover themselves in bug spray, but Joba Chamberlain succumbed to the elements and coughed up his club’s lead in the late innings. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2026 The Chargers coughed up another winnable home game, falling 26-14 to the Raiders — the same score as last week’s loss — as fourth-quarter breakdowns define Jim Harbaugh’s 0-2 start. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 That could mean billions of additional dollars being coughed up by already cost-conscious traditional rightsholders like Fox, NBCUniversal and CBS/Paramount. — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026 Oviedo faked the punt and picked up a first down in Lake Mary territory but the ball was coughed up and the Rams came up with the recovery. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 The Marlins lost, 4-2, after the bullpen coughed up the lead and after the offense went just 2 for 18 with runners in scoring position and stranded 14 players on base. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coughed up

Verb

Although dozens of islands were claimed through this process, the overwhelming bulk of these claims were relinquished in the late 20th century as the island countries of Oceania began to achieve independence.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Oct. 2026
Panettiere had relinquished custody of Kaya to Klitschko in 2018.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of relinquished

Verb

With each impact, Sarah’s face disintegrates into a bloodier pulp, her bone structure buckling under every successive thud until Nikki has finally and irrevocably rendered the character a faceless corpse.

— Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
The umbrella was quickly rendered useless as the winds were blowing hard.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of rendered

Verb

He was stationed in India in 1945 when Japan surrendered, marking the end of the war.

— Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2026
There were penalties that hampered a couple drives and a few too many explosive plays surrendered on defense for a second consecutive week for Cristobal’s liking.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of surrendered

Verb

Wyatt needed an onside kick recovery for any chance of an improbable comeback and Adrian Dunn delivered.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Oct. 2026
During the day, activities center around lectures, delivered by enthusiastic expedition team members.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of delivered

Verb

When that overdue balance gets turned over to a collection agency, though, the situation can suddenly feel much more serious.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
The audio, which must be converted onto something that can be turned over to the court, comes from calls made to the child abuse and neglect hotline.

— Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of turned over

Verb

Former president Michel Martelly, who last week turned in his paperwork to run for the top post again, has been blacklisted by all three of Haiti’s foreign partners.

— Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
Tru Warrior Casas of Fairfax turned in a great individual performance, rushing for 331 yards and four touchdowns in a loss to Palisades.

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of turned in

Browse Nearby Words

cougars

coughed up

coughing up

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“Coughed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coughed%20up. Accessed 31 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of coughed up

verb

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