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
Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
These tariff rates range between 25% and 50%, with the highest tariff reserved for Brazil, where Trump has objected to the prosecution of the country’s former, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
Trump specifically decried Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over his role in an alleged coup to overturn his 2022 reelection loss.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 11 July 2025
One of my favorite moments in the film is when Steve Carell’s character is plotting a worldwide coup while trying unsuccessfully to boil an egg.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
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Noun
The Turkish leader has also used the 2016 coup attempt against him as an excuse to pull apart the rule of law and any vestiges of institutional governance in Turkey.
—Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
These tariff rates range between 25% and 50%, with the highest tariff reserved for Brazil, where Trump has objected to the prosecution of the country’s former, right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro for allegedly plotting a coup.
—Cailey Gleeson, jsonline.com, 14 July 2025
Trump specifically decried Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro, who is facing trial over his role in an alleged coup to overturn his 2022 reelection loss.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 11 July 2025
One of my favorite moments in the film is when Steve Carell’s character is plotting a worldwide coup while trying unsuccessfully to boil an egg.
—Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 21 Jul. 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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