COUP D'ÉTAT Synonyms: 20 Similar and Opposite Words

coup d'état

noun

variants or coup d'etat

Definition of coup d'état

as in coup

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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 d'état General Muhammadu Buhari, dictator of Nigeria, following a successful coup d'etat against Shehu Shagari. — Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025 Spain The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, saw an explosion of popularity in the 1980s after helping to foil a coup d'etat attempt. — Justin Klawans, theweek, 27 Feb. 2024 The ceremony came after Nguema seized power in a coup d'etat last week, in the latest usurping of control in African countries. — Justin Klawans, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023 Also in attendance at that event was the junta leader who seized power in Guinea a little over a year after Mali's coup d'etat. — Krista Larson, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022 See All Example Sentences for coup d'état

Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup d'état

Noun

Like whether aliens will be announced by the US government, whether a coup attempt will take place in Russia — even whether the earth is flat.

— Jon Sarlin, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Following military coups, the juntas in the three countries turned from Western allies to Russia for help combating Islamic militants.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026

Definition of coup

Noun

January's was the deadliest, when security forces killed thousands to crush nationwide demonstrations that started over economic woes and then snowballed into calls for Khamenei's overthrow.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Still, the timing of Saturday’s announcement suggests the protests — the biggest string of rallies since the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000 — have played a role.

— Reuters, CNN Money, 27 June 2026

Definition of overthrow

Noun

That contrast can give takeovers the appearance of a spontaneous revolt, one that illuminates the extreme economic disparities of our era.

— Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026
The cross itself was erected to commemorate the death of 21 Franciscan friars during a revolt against colonial occupation.

— Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

Definition of revolt

Noun

The pair took a big swing in 2022 around the first anniversary of the Capitol insurrection on January 6.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
The violence, described as a failed insurrection by President Cyril Ramaphosa, vandalized more than 160 shopping malls, led to tens of thousands of job losses, and cost the economy roughly $3 billion.

— Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 29 June 2026

Definition of insurrection

Noun

The latter was the leader of a failed uprising against the ruling Elizabeth 1, and the weeping stag was often used as a symbol adopted by the Earl’s supporters.

— Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 9 July 2026
His unpopular reign was marked by disastrous wars, food shortages, unemployment, uprisings, and, ultimately, revolutions—two, to be precise.

— Britannica Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 July 2026

Definition of uprising

Noun

Although the insurgency was crushed and support for Khalistan waned within Punjab, the Indian government continues to view separatist sentiment as a national security concern.

— ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
General David Petraeus later made the case for surging forces into Iraq in a bid to take on a burgeoning insurgency.

— Missy Ryan, The Atlantic, 10 July 2026

Definition of insurgency

Browse Nearby Words

coup

coup d'état

coup d'oeil

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Style

“Coup d'état.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20d%27%C3%A9tat. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of coup d'état

noun

Example Sentences

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