cooperate

verb

co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrāt How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
cooperated; cooperating; cooperates
Synonyms of cooperate

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 How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
noun

Synonyms of cooperate

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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
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.
Israel, which has refused to cooperate with the commission since it was established in 2021, has strenuously denied the accusations. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 But a judge has now paused construction across the region, giving a major boost to landowners who have sought to impede the wall by refusing to cooperate with government surveyors, protesting at county meetings and gearing up for court battles. — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 This arrangement lasted about 50 years, during which the two countries found ways to cooperate. — Robert B. Zoellick, Foreign Affairs, 9 Oct. 2026 Police questioned Roper and Hargrove, who fully cooperated with investigators by turning in their DNA and phones. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cooperate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cooperate was in 1582

Rhymes for cooperate

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Browse Nearby Words

cooperant
cooperate
cooperation
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Cite this Entry

“Cooperate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cooperate. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

cooperate

verb
co·​op·​er·​ate kō-ˈäp-(ə-)ˌrāt How to pronounce cooperate (audio)
cooperated; cooperating
: to act, work, or associate with others so as to get something done
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