to struggle or deal, esp. on fairly even terms or with some degree of success (usually fol. by with )

I will try to cope with his rudeness.

to face and deal with responsibilities, problems, or difficulties, esp. successfully or in a calm or adequate manner

After his breakdown he couldn't cope any longer.

Archaic . to come into contact; meet (usually fol. by with ).

British Informal . to cope with.

Obsolete . to come into contact with; encounter.

verb

battle with , buffet , carry on , confront , deal , dispatch , encounter , endure , face , get a handle on , get by , grapple , hack * , hack it * , handle , hold one’s own , live with , make go of it , make it , make out * , make the grade , pit oneself against , rise to occasion , struggle , struggle through , suffer , survive , tangle , tussle , weather , wrestle , canopy , chapel , cloak , complete , contend , cover , dress , equal , manage , match , notch , strive , vault