coup de main

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈmaⁿ How to pronounce coup de main (audio)
Definition of coup de mainnext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main
  1. attack
  2. assault
  3. raid
  4. offensive
  5. offense
  6. onslaught
  7. strike
  8. aggression
Noun
  • The British Army also provided protection from attacks by Native American tribes, giving many settlers little reason to support a rebellion.
    — Hank Tester, CBS News, 1 July 2026
  • Twice in recent days, the United States has launched retaliatory strikes on Iran following drone attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 30 June 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • Indeed, the administration’s assault on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act intensifies the damage.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Williams had an extraditable warrant out of Suffolk County, New York, on multiple charges including burglary, strangulation and assault.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • The June 19 raid of the EZ-8 Motel focused on three rooms that were allegedly rented out by operators of a prostitution ring.
    — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 4 July 2026
  • Netanyahu noted that his brother Yoni was killed in the raid.
    — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Definition of raid
Noun
  • Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed 73,098 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
    — Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Ancelotti’s charm offensive is clearly working its magic on his players and the public.
    — Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026
Definition of offensive
Noun
  • Five of the men face up to three years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000, prosecutors said, while Castorena faces up to six years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000 due to a prior strike offense.
    — Jasmine Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026
  • Under the law, moral offenses — including adultery and same-sex relations — can carry penalties of up to 100 lashes.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of offense
Noun
  • In Texas, ranchers are bracing for an onslaught of screwworms, the flesh-eating maggots of blowflies.
    — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • Torres lamented that the nation’s landmark semiquincentennial comes amid a fever pitch of anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States, marked by a rise in xenophobia and an onslaught of attempts to restrict newcomers here and abroad.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Definition of onslaught
Noun
  • The union would have to give a 10-day notice before a strike can begin.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 2 July 2026
  • The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2026
Definition of strike
Noun
  • Ukraine has every right to attack Russia’s military infrastructure that sustains its aggression.
    — David A. Deptula, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • Issues could include insomnia, aggression, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to psychotropic medication and exacerbation of existing mental illness -- like anxiety, depression and schizophrenia.
    — Mark Prussin, CBS News, 29 June 2026
Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

coup de grâce
coup de main
coupe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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