coup de grâce

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈgräs How to pronounce coup de grâce (audio)
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 But the coup de grace for the burglars came on April 9, when police arrested the 23-year-old and seized his phone. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 2 June 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for coup de grâce
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de grâce
  1. determinant
  2. crusher
  3. clincher
  4. topper
Noun
  • And the American Medical Association has acknowledged voting as a social determinant of health.
    — Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The chief determinant of that unlikely success has been not individual genius in the lab, or individual prowess in the boardroom, but collective planning and coördination at a breathtaking scale.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of determinant
Noun
  • The video featured resistance training combos, like squats paired with overhead dumbbell presses, and another including skull crushers with a barbell and reverse crunches.
    — Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Qatar did the same for reckless driving two years ago, feeding a Toyota Supra into a car crusher after its driver was filmed doing donuts on a highway.
    — Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of crusher
Noun
  • Emanuel Rodriguez, Edgard Junez, Miguel Diaz and Jerry Hernandez converted penalty kicks, with Hernandez delivering the clincher before running over to celebrate with East Aurora’s fans.
    — Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • She was named Finals MVP after scoring 30 points, including 28 in the second half, and blocking four shots in the clincher.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of clincher
Noun
  • To keep things cozy, Singapore Airlines will also provide 100 percent cotton bed linens, a duvet, and a new mattress topper by German luxury bedding pro Paradies.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Once the reception began, her lace topper was replaced with a feather boa to spice up the look.
    — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of topper

Browse Nearby Words

coup d'oeil
coup de grâce
coup de main
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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 Nov. 2026.

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