as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the Continental Army's attack on the British-Hessian encampment at Trenton, New Jersey, ranks as one of the most brilliant coups de main of the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coup de main
Ryan Reynolds walked arm in arm with Blake Lively, and there were polite air-kisses and an appearance by Martha Stewart—but like the film’s coup de main, the night was filled with surprises.
—
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main
Noun
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Each one would need to stock more interceptors and operate with escort ships to fend off attacks.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The first-half diagnosis The strangest part of San Diego’s sophomore season is that the attack has not collapsed.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
Noun
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Curiel sued for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
8 June 2026
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The lawsuit was filed on the bases of negligence, assault, battery, outrage and strict liability, seeking damages in excess of $75,000.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Prosecutors say Ian Roberts spent nearly two decades working in urban schools without authorization, using a counterfeit Social Security card as Des Moines’ leader, even as Trump-era ICE raids intensified.—
Hannah Fingerhut,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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The bakery became a gathering point for community support during federal immigration raids in Charlotte last fall, when Betancur temporarily closed the shop for the first time in its history.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2026
Noun
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But that move accelerated following Armenia’s crushing military defeat by Azerbaijan in 2023, when the latter launched an offensive to retake Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority ethnic Armenian breakaway enclave.—
Nathan Hodge,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
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Orlopp’s response was to go on the offensive, raising profitability targets and announcing plans to cut around 3,000 jobs by the end of the decade, essentially making the case that Commerzbank doesn’t need rescuing.—
Sam Birchall,
Fortune,
8 June 2026
Noun
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The Red Sox offense as a whole has played better recently.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
30 May 2026
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The California Constitution defines a large number of offenses where bail can be denied outright, among them rape, burglary and arson.—
Sonja Sharp,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Noun
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An onslaught of drones and missiles poured onto Ukraine on Tuesday, killing nearly two dozen and injuring over 100 more.—
Timothy Nerozzi,
The Washington Examiner,
3 June 2026
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The onslaught began with three consecutive singles by Kyle Karros, Edouard Julien, and Jake McCarthy, and then came to homers by Castro and Rumfield.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
3 June 2026
Noun
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The discussions continued despite an overnight exchange of strikes between the US and Iran that threatened to complicate the diplomatic effort.—
Arpita Dasika,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
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On Wednesday night, Detmers threw 71% of his pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to 16 of 22 hitters.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
Noun
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Following his Game 1 sluggishness, Wembanyama played with more aggression and decisiveness.—
Mark Medina,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
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The teen witness said Hunter Metcalf, the victim’s twin brother, told Anthony to leave in an escalating tone of aggression.—
Matt Lavietes,
NBC news,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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