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 FischettiExamples 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
Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Still, in the midst of Nigeria’s political fragility — marked by coups, violence, and widespread distrust among citizens who protested bad governance again last summer — Rema is being strategic about his allegiances.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
And, yet, just this year, Boko was sentenced to prison for allegedly plotting a coup, not long after indicating his own potential run to succeed the term-limited Talon.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Generals, too: Research finds that loyal security forces reduce the risk of military coup attempts.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
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Noun
The latest, a coup d’état in 2023, put the brakes on growth.
—Chris Schalkx, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2025
Still, in the midst of Nigeria’s political fragility — marked by coups, violence, and widespread distrust among citizens who protested bad governance again last summer — Rema is being strategic about his allegiances.
—Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2025
And, yet, just this year, Boko was sentenced to prison for allegedly plotting a coup, not long after indicating his own potential run to succeed the term-limited Talon.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
Generals, too: Research finds that loyal security forces reduce the risk of military coup attempts.
—Joe Wright, The Conversation, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
Articles Related to coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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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