coup de grâce

variants or coup de grace
Definition of coup de grâcenext
as in determinant
something (as a fact or argument) that is decisive or overwhelming the prosecutor presented his coupe de grâce—a videotape of the beating

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coup de grâce The coup de grace came when fans pointed out that the Audio-Animatronic of Walt looks uncannily like Mike Lindell, staunch supporter of President Donald Trump and chief executive of pillow manufacturing company My Pillow. Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Israel softened up the target; America delivered the coup de grace. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 2025 The coup de grace was delivered a minute into injury time as Mount seized on a poor clearance from Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala. Carl Anka, New York Times, 9 May 2025 The coup de grace will come some five billion years from now, when our expanding red giant sun engulfs and incinerates poor little Earth. Mike Wall, Space.com, 7 May 2025 The coup de grace came Thursday in a 6-4 Oilers’ win at a raucous Rogers Place, which has become a house of horrors for the Kings. Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025 But then Abby delivered the coup de grace, stabbing him with the fire iron. Tom Gliatto, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The coup de grace for Mansour, first reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, came in November. John Lippert, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de grâce
Noun
  • While voting in national and local elections has already been recognized as a social determinant of health—with voters generally thought to have better health profiles than non-voters—the link between electoral participation and death has not been established.
    Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In The Bell Curve, Murray and Herrnstein argue that intelligence, as measured by an IQ score, is a crucial determinant of success in modern society.
    Eric Turkheimer, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The rock crusher itself appeared to be a mobile unit, not a permanent one.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Denver comedy fans are well served this weekend with headlining sets from hometown hero Josh Blue, a stand-up crusher who’s been showing comics how it’s done since grabbing national attention in 2006 with his hilariously deft, self-effacing routines.
    John Wenzel, Denver Post, 24 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • When Posa slammed Washington quarterback Demond Williams to the ground for a game-clincher on fourth-and-6, some 70,000 fans erupted as if thawed from a long freeze.
    Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 9 Nov. 2025
  • Edwards went 5 for 7 on mid-range attempts in Portland, with the fifth make serving as the game clincher.
    Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • This set includes two ornaments in a silver hue with a gold topper and a durable monofilament hanging string.
    Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 8 Nov. 2025
  • Add a ribbon and a pretty DIY gift topper and your gift is ready to give!
    Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Coup de grâce.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20gr%C3%A2ce. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

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