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 of coup

Noun

• success
• accomplishment
• achievement

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

But over the last decade, funny movies have largely migrated to streaming (Netflix’s pact with Adam Sandler was an early coup) or turned into the stuff of easy-to-miss cult. —Jake Coyle, Fortune, 6 May 2026

Since seizing power in a 2022 coup, Burkina Faso’s junta has cracked down on political dissent and journalists, shutting down independent media outlets and forcibly conscripting dissidents into the army to fight Islamic militants. —ABC News, 6 May 2026

In the years that followed his SI coup, Turner regularly appeared within the pages of the magazine, as a Cutty Sark ad featuring the four-time Yachtsman of the Year ran in heavy rotation. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026

Last month, after that election, Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup, arranged for himself to be sworn in as president. —Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 3 May 2026

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

Rhymes for coup

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• crew
• cue
• dew
• do

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