coup

1 of 2

noun

ˈkü 

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

By nightfall, the troops had freed the captured President and ended the six-day-old coup, a military spokesman said.

—Marlise Simons

2

: 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

From time to time, the conspiracy groupies pull off a huge disinformation coup.

—Alex Kozinski

Foreseeing 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

coup

2 of 2

verb

ˈkōp 

couped; couping; coups

chiefly Scotland

: overturn, upset

Synonyms

Noun

• accomplishment
• achievement
• acquirement
• attainment
• baby
• success
• triumph

Examples 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

Noun

Since independence in 1956, their country has experienced more coups than any other in Africa, most short-lived and bloodless. —Declan Walsh Ivor Prickett, New York Times, 5 June 2024

Buy Now 11 of 14 'The Deep and Dark Blue' by Niki Smith In this gripping graphic novel, Hawke and Grayson — twins who must escape a coup in their magical hometown — must undertake the new identities of Hanna and Grayce for their safety. —Carly Tagen-Dye, Peoplemag, 31 May 2024

Verb

First, their sign up offer is excellent as new users can re-coup up to $1,000 in free bets if their bet losses. —Doug Ziefel, Chicago Tribune, 2 Dec. 2022

This year's pace car is the second consecutive Chevy's Corvette Stingray, with last year's 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray coup the choice. —Nathan Brown, The Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, blow, stroke — more at cope entry 1

Verb

Middle English, to strike, from Anglo-French couper — more at cope entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

circa 1572, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing coup

• counter-coup
• coup de grace
• coup de grâce
• coup de main
• coup d'etat
• coup de theatre
• coup de théâtre
• coup d'oeil
• coup d'état

Kids Definition

coup

noun

ˈkü

plural coups

ˈküz

1

: a brilliant, sudden, and usually highly successful action

2

: coup d'état

Etymology

Noun

from French coup "blow, stroke"

Medical Definition

coup

noun

ˈkü 

: injury occurring on the side of an organ (as the brain) on which a blow or impact is received compare contrecoup