Meaning & use
coup d'état
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Meanings
nouncountable
A sudden, usually violent seizure of power in a country by a small group, often military officers.
Grammar: Countable: a coup d'état, two coups d'état; the plural keeps the French spelling.
Patterns
- stage a coup d'état
- a failed coup d'état
- overthrow a government in a coup d'état
The general was arrested after trying to stage a coup d'état.
The 1973 coup d'état changed the country's politics for decades.
News reports said the coup d'état had failed within a day.
nouncountablefigurative
A surprising and successful action that takes power or control from someone, especially in an organization.
Grammar: Often figurative and informal in this use: a boardroom coup.
Patterns
- a boardroom coup
- pull off a coup
The directors' vote was described as a quiet boardroom coup d'état.
By winning the contract, the small firm pulled off a kind of coup d'état.
Word forms
| plural | coups d'état |
|---|
Common combinations
- stage a coup d'état
- Rebel officers staged a coup d'état and seized the radio station.
- a failed coup d'état
- After the failed coup d'état, dozens of soldiers were dismissed.
- a military coup d'état
- A military coup d'état ended civilian rule for twelve years.
- lead a coup d'état
- He was accused of leading a coup d'état against the president.
- an attempted coup d'état
- The attempted coup d'état lasted only a few hours.
Synonyms and how they differ
- putsch
- Putsch means almost the same but is used mainly for German-speaking or historical contexts.
- takeover
- Takeover is broader and can be peaceful or legal, as in a business takeover.
- revolution
- A revolution usually involves mass public support and long-term change, while a coup d'état is run by a small group.
Word family
- coup noun
- The short form, used for both political seizures and clever successes.
- coupist noun
- A person who takes part in or supports a coup.
Commonly confused: coup d'état or coupe? coup d'état or coup de grâce?
coup d'état vs coupe
A coupe (/kuːp/) is a two-door car or a shallow glass dish; it sounds similar but is a different word.
coup d'état vs coup de grâce
A coup de grâce (/ˌkuː də ˈɡrɑːs/) is a final blow that ends something; it does not mean a seizure of power.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'coup d'état' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A coup d'état is a sudden seizure of power, so soldiers taking the palace fits. Option A confuses it with 'coup de grâce' or a dish, and C wrongly suggests a legal agreement.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “coup d'état”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.