cooperative
5 synonyms and 2 antonyms for cooperative, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Willing to work with others; helpful.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use cooperative
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Formed from co- ("together") plus operative, following the same pattern as cooperate.
Full origin of cooperative →Frequently asked questions
What does “cooperative” mean?
The word “cooperative” means willing to work with others; helpful. In plain terms, either willing to help and work with others, or (as a noun) a business jointly owned by its members.
How do you pronounce “cooperative”?
“Cooperative” is pronounced koo-AHP-ruh-tihv (/kuˈɑp.ɹətɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “cooperative” in a sentence?
Here is “cooperative” used in a sentence: “The staff were very cooperative when we asked for changes.”
What is the opposite of “cooperative”?
The opposite of “cooperative” — its antonyms — are adversarial and competitive.
What part of speech is “cooperative”?
Depending on how it is used, “cooperative” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “cooperative” a common word?
“Cooperative” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “cooperative” have?
“Cooperative” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: willing to work with others; helpful.
What is the difference between cooperative and collaborative?
Cooperative describes being willing to work with others or involving joint effort, and is used broadly for attitudes and arrangements, while collaborative more specifically emphasizes people actively working together to create something, such as a collaborative project. A cooperative person is helpful and agreeable; a collaborative process is one built on joint contribution.
What is a cooperative in a business sense?
A cooperative is a business or organization owned and jointly run by its members, such as employees, farmers, or customers, who share in decision-making and often in profits. Examples include agricultural cooperatives and housing cooperatives.
How is cooperative used to describe a person's behavior?
When describing a person, cooperative means willing to work with others and helpful rather than obstructive, such as a cooperative witness who answers questions honestly and fully.