improvise vs cope

improvise is not a noun while cope is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
improvise	No	No	Yes	No
cope	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, cope is a hypernym of improvise; that is, cope is a word with a broader meaning than improvise:

improvise: manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
cope: succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available

Other hypernyms of improvise include contend, deal, get by, grapple, make do, make out, manage.

improvise (noun)	cope (noun)
	brick that is laid sideways at the top of a wall
	a long cloak; worn by a priest or bishop on ceremonial occasions

improvise (verb)	cope (verb)
perform without preparation	succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand