Meaning & use
coup
Last updated
A sudden, illegal seizure of power from a government, typically by force.
See it in a sentence
The military staged a coup and took control of the capital overnight.
Rumors of a coup spread quickly after the president's sudden absence.
A note on using this word
Short for the French phrase 'coup d'état.' It can also loosely mean any impressive, unexpected achievement, as in 'landing that client was a real coup.'
Words with a similar meaning
takeoverputsch
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. noun
A notable and unexpected achievement or success.
Securing the exclusive interview was a major coup for the small newspaper.
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