coup d'état
noun
ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä 
ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä,
-də-
variants
or coup d'etat
plural coups d'état or coups d'etat
ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä
ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä,
-də-
also coup d'états or coup d'etats
: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics
especially
: the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group
a military coup d'état of the dictator
Examples of coup d'état in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Viktor learns of a coup d'etat in his country while at New York's JFK Airport, and, after the U.S. refuses to recognize his passport, he is forced to stay at the airport's terminal.
—
Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Spain The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, saw an explosion of popularity in the 1980s after helping to foil a coup d'etat attempt.
—Justin Klawans, theweek, 27 Feb. 2024
The ceremony came after Nguema seized power in a coup d'etat last week, in the latest usurping of control in African countries.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023
Bazoum was deposed from power three weeks ago during a coup d'etat that installed a military junta in Niger, and has been imprisoned in the basement of the presidential palace ever since.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 12 Aug. 2023
Fighting began after the RSF attempted to seize control of the Sudanese government in an ongoing coup d'etat.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Apr. 2023
Also in attendance at that event was the junta leader who seized power in Guinea a little over a year after Mali's coup d'etat.
—Krista Larson, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022
In August 1991, hard-liners in the government launched an abortive coup d'etat.
—William Welch and Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022
The 84-year-old former leader was overthrown in a coup d'etat in September by a military junta that now leads the West African country.
—Washington Post, 5 May 2022
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Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Spain The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, saw an explosion of popularity in the 1980s after helping to foil a coup d'etat attempt.
—Justin Klawans, theweek, 27 Feb. 2024
The ceremony came after Nguema seized power in a coup d'etat last week, in the latest usurping of control in African countries.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023
Bazoum was deposed from power three weeks ago during a coup d'etat that installed a military junta in Niger, and has been imprisoned in the basement of the presidential palace ever since.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 12 Aug. 2023
Fighting began after the RSF attempted to seize control of the Sudanese government in an ongoing coup d'etat.
—Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Apr. 2023
Also in attendance at that event was the junta leader who seized power in Guinea a little over a year after Mali's coup d'etat.
—Krista Larson, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022
In August 1991, hard-liners in the government launched an abortive coup d'etat.
—William Welch and Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022
The 84-year-old former leader was overthrown in a coup d'etat in September by a military junta that now leads the West African country.
—Washington Post, 5 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Coup d'état.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup%20d%27%C3%A9tat. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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