coup d'état

noun

\ ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä

How to pronounce coup d'état (audio)

, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä, -də-\

variants: or coup d'etat

plural coups d'état or coups d'etat\ ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä

How to pronounce coups d'etat (audio)

, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä , -də- \

Definition of coup d'état

: 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

Peter II ascended the throne at age 17 in a coup d'etat against his uncle and regent, who wished to ally Yugoslavia with Germany during WWII. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Queen Victoria's Descendants Still Reign Over Europe," 17 Feb. 2019 Here, Ward lays out the Mercers's coup d'etat: [Trump] had been disturbed by recent stories detailing disorganization in his campaign and alleging ties between Trump's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and pro-Russia officials in Ukraine. — Kate Storey, Town & Country, "This is the Real Story Behind How Steve Bannon Joined Forces With Donald Trump," 6 Apr. 2017 May 2014 saw a coup d'etat and since, the country has been living under military rule, with no elections, civilians tried in military court, and a ban on even discussing politics. — Danielle Mcnally, Marie Claire, "Meet the Woman Fighting for Democracy in Thailand," 9 Apr. 2018 The song recalls the Gwangju Democracy Movement of 1980, during which the residents of the city rose up in protest against the coup d'etat and martial rule of Chun Doo-Hwan. — Tamar Herman, Billboard, "BTS' Most Political Lyrics: A Guide to Their Social Commentary on South Korean Society," 13 Feb. 2018 Lucia left Chile as a young adult in the 1970s, during the Chilean coup d'etat. — Kate Scott, Chicago Reader, "Isabel Allende’s mystical new novel is a sly response to anti-immigrant fear," 25 Oct. 2017 Qualifying for the World Cup is a significant achievement for a country whose national team suffered when the 2011-12 and 2012-13 domestic seasons were canceled following the Port Said stadium disaster and the 2013 coup d'etat. — Henry Young, CNN, "Egypt sent into raptures as country qualifies for first World Cup since 1990," 9 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'coup d'état.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for coup d'état

coup d'état

noun

English Language Learners Definition of coup d'état

: a sudden attempt by a small group of people to take over the government usually through violence

See the full definition for coup d'état in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Comments on coup d'état

What made you want to look up coup d'état? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

hamartia

a flaw that causes the downfall of a hero

Test Your Vocabulary

Original Meanings Quiz

Which of the following is the earliest known sense of the word awe?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games