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copping out

VERB

abandon, quit

Synonyms

WEAK

back down back off back out backpedal desert dodge excuse give the slip have alibi rationalize renege renounce revoke skip use pretext withdraw

Antonyms

WEAK

be ready face ready take on

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The play earned O’Neill his second Pulitzer Prize for drama, but he fumed at the way critics accused him of copping out with what seemed to them a happy ending.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

"Clearly, they are copping out on this one."

From Salon • Mar. 30, 2022

“Without copping out, I think it’s fair to say that it would not be appropriate for me to comment” on the choice of Mr. Bannon.

From New York Times • Nov. 14, 2016

Bowlers Steven Finn and Mitchell Marsh had both overstepped by some distance, but the umpires are copping out of making decisions because they know they have the back-up of technology.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2015

I was always drawing pictures and getting special treatment at school — showing off, copping out of other things.

From 100 New Yorkers of the 1970s by Millard, Max