Cop out and Explain away

Cop out

Cop out verb - To break a promise or agreement.

Explain away and cop out are semantically related In some cases you can use "Explain away" instead a verb "Cop out".

Explain away

Explain away verb - To give the reason for or cause of.
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Synonyms for Explain away

Cop out and explain away are semantically related in justify topic. Sometimes you can use "Cop out" instead a verb "Explain away".

Both terms in one sentence

  • Some think adding too much sci-fi and technobable ruins the genre, likely a microcosm of the Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane approach where they use science or sci-fi to explain away the paranormal/supernatural (which some see as a cop out).
Cite this Source
Explain away and Cop out. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 13, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/cop_out/explain_away
Cop out & Explain away. N.p., 2016. Web. 13 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/cop_out/explain_away>.
Explain away or Cop out. 2016. Accessed August 13, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/cop_out/explain_away.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "cop out" and "explain away" have occurred on timeline