cough up

verb

Definition of cough upnext
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

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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 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 Cubs bullpen surrendered eight runs — with all three relievers coughing up at least one and Trent Thornton’s five-run sixth the difference in the loss. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 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 The fee is an initial payment, and the group will likely have to cough up more cash to cover Associated Newspapers Limited’s full legal bill, which has been estimated to be north of $46 million (£34 million). — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
  1. relinquish
  2. render
  3. surrender
  4. deliver
Verb
  • Venus Venus will soon be relinquishing its dominance of the early evening sky.
    — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • While Velocity Arts is within the city’s service area, the Utilities Department may relinquish this area to Evergy or another third party provider to serve the project, according to city documents.
    — Taylor O'Connor August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of relinquish
Verb
  • Something about the skylights transports me to a bygone New York rendered by cinema.
    — Nora DeLigter, Curbed, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Cook until most of the fat has rendered and the pancetta is turning golden brown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of render
Verb
  • Paul Skenes, last year’s NL Cy Young Award winner, lasted all of 4 2/3 innings, having surrendered five runs on eight hits.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • When the Blakes want the third iteration of their teenage son Geoff, young Nathan Donovan must surrender his mind for another’s—but the transfer fails, leaving both consciousnesses fighting for their survival.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of surrender
Verb
  • Davis delivered a strong preseason, but he is now likely headed to a redshirt rookie season unless injuries strike at tackle.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Scientists around the world are anticipating the unprecedented insights Roman could deliver.
    — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of deliver

Browse Nearby Words

coughs up
cough up
coulee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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