cooperation
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for cooperation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of working together with others toward a common goal.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Antonyms
How to use cooperation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
mutual cooperation
international cooperation
in cooperation with
Etymology
Borrowed from French coopération, from Late Latin cooperatio, built the same way as cooperate — from co- ("together") and operari ("to work").
Full origin of cooperation →Frequently asked questions
What does “cooperation” mean?
The word “cooperation” means the act of working together with others toward a common goal. In plain terms, working together with someone, usually for mutual benefit.
How do you pronounce “cooperation”?
“Cooperation” is pronounced koh-op-uh-RAY-shuhn (/koʊˌɑ.pəˈɹeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “cooperation” in a sentence?
Here is “cooperation” used in a sentence: “The project succeeded thanks to close cooperation between the teams.”
What is the opposite of “cooperation”?
The opposite of “cooperation” — its antonyms — is competition.
What part of speech is “cooperation”?
“Cooperation” is a noun.
Where does the word “cooperation” come from?
The word “cooperation” comes from Late Latin. Borrowed from French coopération, from Late Latin cooperatio, built the same way as cooperate — from co- ("together") and operari ("to work").
Is “cooperation” a common word?
“Cooperation” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'cooperation' and 'collaboration'?
Both involve working together, but "cooperation" emphasizes people helping one another and getting along toward a shared goal, while "collaboration" stresses actively creating something together, such as a joint project. You can cooperate simply by not obstructing others, but collaboration requires shared effort on the same work.
What is the difference between 'cooperation' and 'coordination'?
"Cooperation" is the act of working together willingly toward a common goal, while "coordination" is the organizing of different people or tasks so they fit together smoothly. Cooperation is about willingness; coordination is about arrangement.
Is it spelled 'cooperation' or 'co-operation'?
Both spellings are correct: "cooperation" is standard in American English, while "co-operation" with a hyphen is a traditional British form, though modern British writing increasingly drops the hyphen too. The pronunciation and meaning are identical.
What preposition follows 'cooperation'?
"Cooperation" is usually followed by "with" to name a partner and "between" to name the parties, as in "cooperation with neighbours" or "cooperation between the two countries." You can also do something "in cooperation with" someone.
