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Dictionary.com
Definitions

cough up

VERB
disburse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contribute dispense distribute expend pony up
STRONG
acquit deal defray disperse divide give partition use
WEAK
ante up come across come through come up with divvy dole out foot the bill lay out measure out outlay pay out put out shell out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
hold keep take
STRONG
attach collect combine gather join unite
WEAK
deposit hoard retain save set aside
VERB
divulge
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admit blab communicate disclose give away leak publish reveal uncover
STRONG
betray broadcast declare discover exhibit expose gossip impart mouth proclaim promulgate spill spring tattle tell
WEAK
blow the whistle fess up go public let hair down let slip open up own up spill the beans tip off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
conceal cover hide keep suppress withhold
STRONG
protect
WEAK
secrete
VERB
pay
Synonyms
STRONGEST
compensate disburse extend grant handle meet offer present refund reimburse repay settle
STRONG
adjust bequeath bestow clear confer defray discharge foot honor liquidate prepay proffer recompense recoup remit remunerate render requite reward satisfy stake
WEAK
bear the cost bear the expense chip in come through dig up foot the bill hand over kick in make payment plunk down put up take care of
Antonyms
STRONGEST
deny deprive hold penalize refuse take take back withhold
STRONG
confuse dishonor dissatisfy dissuade fail keep upset
WEAK
earn lose
VERB
puke
Synonyms
STRONG
barf gag heave hurl regurgitate retch spew upchuck
WEAK
be sick bring up chunder do the technicolor yawn get sick spit up throw up toss one's cookies
VERB
recompense
Synonyms
STRONG
atone balance comp compensate counterbalance counterpoise countervail equalize expiate fix grease indemnify offset overcompensate pay propitiate reciprocate recoup recover redress reimburse remunerate repay requite retaliate retrieve return reward satisfy square
WEAK
ante up atone for do business give satisfaction make amends make good make up for pay for put out spring for sweeten the pot swing for take care of
Antonyms
STRONG
deprive disproportion dissatisfy lose penalize refuse seize take worsen
VERB
spend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
allocate concentrate consume contribute donate drop employ expend give invest put in settle use waste
STRONG
absorb apply bestow blow confer defray deplete disburse dispense dissipate drain empty exhaust fritter lavish liquidate misspend squander
WEAK
ante up cast away come across come through evote foot the bill hand out lay out outlay pay down pay up run through shell out spring for throw away use up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
build hold keep neglect save shun take take away withhold
STRONG
fill hoard set aside
WEAK
be lazy earn get receive

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.

And when it feels like a company is, as you put it, holding your stuff for ransom, you may feel even more inclined to cough up whatever amount they insist you pay.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

To secure membership, nations are expected to cough up $1 billion in dues.

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

But Mr. Dylan expects us to cough up nothing but a dime for the jukebox.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

The only way out of it would be through Monster Rewards - and to get them, he would have to cough up £6,740 on the spot.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2025

After a phrase or two, I’d cough up a warm, silvery sound.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez