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
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Recent Examples of cough up
Marte has just one year left on his contract, and while the return may seem to favor the Mets, the Pirates might be willing to cough up an extra prospect or two in order to avoid taking on the entire salary.
—
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
These prompts are usually not shared with the public, though they can be unreliably extracted by enterprising users: This might be the one used by X’s Grok, and last year, a researcher appeared to have gotten Bing to cough up its system prompt.
—Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Our insurer didn’t appear to have coughed up anything near this sum to the hospital, though.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Haigh hopes for more trams Haigh will have to address such funding gaps, or find a way for a government with a tight budget to cough up some cash, in order to revive trams in the UK.
—Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cough up 
Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
These prompts are usually not shared with the public, though they can be unreliably extracted by enterprising users: This might be the one used by X’s Grok, and last year, a researcher appeared to have gotten Bing to cough up its system prompt.
—Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 17 Dec. 2024
Our insurer didn’t appear to have coughed up anything near this sum to the hospital, though.
—John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Haigh hopes for more trams Haigh will have to address such funding gaps, or find a way for a government with a tight budget to cough up some cash, in order to revive trams in the UK.
—Nicole Kobie, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for cough up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cough up
Verb
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The Chiefs wouldn’t relinquish the lead the rest of the game.—
Zak Keefer,
The Athletic,
19 Jan. 2025
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And, to access the program, a parent must relinquish custody of his or her child to the state — a requirement many parents find inhumane.—
Carol Marbin Miller,
Miami Herald,
17 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments last year, but hasn’t rendered a decision.—
Nathaniel Weixel,
The Hill,
20 Jan. 2025
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Currently referred to as the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, this branch of the IRS listens to and weights taxpayer arguments and renders a decision that aims to be fair and impartial to both the government and the taxpayer.—
Matthew Roberts,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In just his third career start, Johnson struggled in coverage, surrendering nine receptions for 103 yards, including a touchdown, on 12 targets as the nearest defender, according to Pro Football Focus.—
Nate Taylor,
The Athletic,
21 Jan. 2025
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After eventually dropping the knife, the man refused orders to surrender, so officers tackled and restrained him, police said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacramento Bee,
21 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Following Black Myth Wukong, the Chinese gaming industry will deliver big action game with Lost Soul Aside.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
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Why the Supreme Court is likely to side against 170 million TikTok users What will happen to TikTok Shop orders that have already been placed but not delivered?—
Greta Cross,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near cough up
Cite this Entry
“Cough up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cough%20up. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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