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
Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Landing Essiedu and Hawes is a big coup for Channel 4 and new film and TV drama chief Ollie Madden.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
In the 1960s and 1970s, military coups in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay paved the way for years of autocracy.
—Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
After a military coup on March 24, 1976, overthrew the country’s president and replaced it with a military dictatorship, Yorio and Jalics were kidnapped for five months and subjected to torture.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
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Noun
In the case filed with the Singapore High Court, the elder Kwek accused Sherman of instigating a boardroom coup by appointing two new board members without proper vetting by the nomination committee.
—Jonathan Burgos, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Landing Essiedu and Hawes is a big coup for Channel 4 and new film and TV drama chief Ollie Madden.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025
In the 1960s and 1970s, military coups in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay paved the way for years of autocracy.
—Javier Corrales, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
After a military coup on March 24, 1976, overthrew the country’s president and replaced it with a military dictatorship, Yorio and Jalics were kidnapped for five months and subjected to torture.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 21 Apr. 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 2 May. 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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