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coup d'état

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noun \ ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä , ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä , -də- \
variants: or coup d'etat

Definition of coup d'état

plural coups d'état or coups d'etat play \ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä, ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä, -də-\
: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

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Origin and Etymology of coup d'état

French, literally, stroke of state

COUP D'ÉTAT Defined for English Language Learners

coup d'état

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noun

Definition of coup d'état for English Language Learners

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

Learn More about coup d'état

  1. See words that rhyme with coup d'état Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about coup d'état

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