plural coups
ˈküz 
1
: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics and especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group : coup d'état
In its first few hours, the coup seemed a terrifying confirmation of the power of the military, the police and, especially, the KGB.—
David Remnick
David RemnickBy nightfall, the troops had freed the captured President and ended the six-day-old coup, a military spokesman said.—Marlise Simons
Marlise Simons2
: a brilliant, sudden, and usually highly successful stroke or act
It's an impressive coup for the NCAA and its corporate sponsors to snag an artist with Springsteen's cachet for this event.—Chris Strauss
Chris StraussFrom time to time, the conspiracy groupies pull off a huge disinformation coup.—Alex Kozinski
Alex KozinskiForeseeing a publicity coup, chairman Roger Smith was determined to exhibit an electric car at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 1990.—Mark Fischetti
see also coup de grâce
Mark FischettiSynonyms
Examples of coup in a Sentence
Noun
It was a major coup when they got the Vice President to appear on their show for an interview.
winning that big contract was a real coup
Recent Examples on the Web
Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
And since the coup, Myanmar has become the subject of international sanctions designed to punish members of the junta and curb the flow of weapons into the country.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Doug Ziefel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022
This year's pace car is the second consecutive Chevy's Corvette Stingray, with last year's 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray coup the choice.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for coup 
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Noun
Cavity prevention, experts say, is a major public health coup.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024
And since the coup, Myanmar has become the subject of international sanctions designed to punish members of the junta and curb the flow of weapons into the country.
—Koh Ewe, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024
Verb
First, their sign up offer is excellent as new users can re-coup up to $1,000 in free bets if their bet losses.
—Doug Ziefel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022
This year's pace car is the second consecutive Chevy's Corvette Stingray, with last year's 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray coup the choice.
—Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2021
See all Example Sentences for coup
Dictionary Entries Near coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coup
noun
: injury occurring on the side of an organ (as the brain) on which a blow or impact is received compare contrecoup
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