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Synonyms

coping

American  
[koh-ping] / ˈkoʊ pɪŋ /

noun

  1. a finishing or protective course or cap to an exterior masonry wall or the like.

  2. a piece of woodwork having its end shaped to fit together with a molding.

coping British  
/ ˈkəʊpɪŋ /

noun

  1. Also called: cope.  the sloping top course of a wall, usually made of masonry or brick

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of coping

First recorded in 1595–1605; cope 2 + -ing 1

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.

"I think this is a pretty common coping mechanism for a lot of people" to return to shows they enjoyed in their youth, Kaur said.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

It also highlights the possible benefits of online access for “young people coping with serious illness, bereavement, and mental health problems” as well as opportunities for learning and developing interests.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Q: How do you think she's coping with prison?

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

She said coping with incontinence pads, nappies and dilators designed to stretch vaginal tissue was all "devastating".

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

I had by then withdrawn from French class because I wasn’t able to concentrate with the combined pressure of the extremely hostile students and coping with everything else.

From "Warriors Don't Cry: A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.