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

Who knows more of the injustice of the world than the girl who saw her town seized by a white-supremacist coup, the Wilmington massacre, in 1898? — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the black comedy follows two CIA agents, played by Malkovich and Sam Rockwell, sent to Easter Island just before the 1973 Chilean coup. — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026

The signing of Luka Vuskovic seems like a coup, while Chema Andres comes highly rated from Stuttgart and Pascal Struijk is a dependable signing in defence. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Set in the 1970s, the dark comedy follows two CIA officers (Malkovich and Rockwell) who are dispatched to Easter Island shortly before the Chilean military coup that overthrew socialist president Salvador Allende. — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Sep. 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