COUP DE MAIN Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

coup de main

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈmaⁿ

Definition of coup de main

as in attack

the act or action of setting upon with force or violence the Continental Army's attack on the British-Hessian encampment at Trenton, New Jersey, ranks as one of the most brilliant coups de main of the war

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of coup de main Ryan Reynolds walked arm in arm with Blake Lively, and there were polite air-kisses and an appearance by Martha Stewart—but like the film’s coup de main, the night was filled with surprises. — Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main

Noun

Iran’s new energy weapon Following the start of US- and Israeli-led attacks on February 28, Iran almost immediately declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, creating the largest oil supply shock in history.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
While setting up an attack near the France box, midfielder Dani Olmo overcame a hard challenge that knocked him down to play a through ball to Pedro Porro.

— Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Some potential charges include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft and assault.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Depending on the circumstances, charges could include incitement to riot, vandalism, theft, assault, reckless driving, unlawful assembly, conspiracy and other offenses, police said.

— Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 9 July 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Authorities conducted the raid after shells recovered from McDougal’s homicide scene were linked to a Pittsburg shooting that occurred inside a 7-Eleven in 2025, authorities said.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 10 July 2026
Immigration raids and wildfires dissuaded tourists from visiting, and even Canadian tourists who typically make up the largest number of foreign visitors to California dropped 21%.

— Lily Wright, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Instead of lamenting that starting pitcher Reid Detmers had a bad game and the offense did nothing, which seemed to be the story for the first six innings, the Angels came to life with five runs in the seventh.

— Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 10 July 2026
Many of those convicted committed only minor offenses, such as traffic violations, according to Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse.

— Mathew Miranda July 9, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of offense

Noun

Salgado Araujo’s death has sparked an onslaught of demands for accountability from state and local officials.

— Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 10 July 2026
Others worry the onslaught of information will create a culture of hyperfocusing on data, leading to unnecessary panic and restrictive food behaviors.

— Lauren Chan, STAT, 8 July 2026

Definition of onslaught

Noun

Fellow union workers represented by International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 10 are not on strike but have refused to cross the picket line.

— Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
During the war, as the death toll ticked upward in the enclave, search operations for bodies largely stopped, either because most heavy equipment was destroyed, fuel became scarce or many strike sites became inaccessible due to the fighting.

— Bilal Shbeir, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026

Definition of strike

Noun

Yet the franchise, for all its mayhem, didn’t run on belligerence, or at least channelled its aggression in a disarming way.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 13 July 2026
Even after the sub-par performance against Paraguay – admittedly, the South Americans’ physicality and aggression contributed to that – the fans’ belief never wavered.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

coup de grâce

coup de main

coupe

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of coup de main

noun

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