cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrāt 

cooperated; cooperating; cooperates

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 

noun

Synonyms

• band (together)
• collaborate
• concert
• concur
• conjoin
• conspire
• join
• league
• team (up)
• unite

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

Homan, meanwhile, said the city's sanctuary laws were still in the way of ICE agents as local law enforcement is not allowed to cooperate with them on civil enforcement matters like immigration violations, something Adams wants to see changed under the city's laws. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

After that, the investigators, no longer undercover, attempted an unannounced inspection of the gift room but were denied entry by the Law Department, which the report notes is a violation of the municipal code that requires all city employees to cooperate with OIG inquiries. —Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

Last fall, work was underway to finalize and sign an agreement with the Biden administration to cooperate on extracting and processing minerals. —Constant Méheut, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025

And multiple interests can align – as is happening with debris removal in Los Angeles, where local, state, and federal agencies are cooperating to clear out housing remains and hazardous debris. —Francine Kiefer, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Feb. 2025

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

Kids Definition

cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt 

cooperated; cooperating

: to act, work, or associate with others so as to get something done