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
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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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What investigators uncovered was a complex attack involving blockchain infrastructure, malware that functions across various platforms, and thousands of software developers and the companies that hire them.—
Jessica Klein,
PC Magazine,
11 Apr. 2026
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Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Malek Daniels, 20, pleaded guilty Friday to voluntary manslaughter, armed criminal action and second-degree assault, according to a Jackson County plea and sentencing document.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Apr. 2026
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Perez, 57 at the time of his 2020 arrest, was days away from release from Kern Valley State Prison where he had been held on a conviction of assault with intent to commit rape.—
Rosalio Ahumada,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The protest erupted after federal agents conducted simultaneous immigration raids at the company’s Camarillo and Carpinteria locations, arresting more than 300 workers without documentation.—
Cierra Morgan,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The couple purposely separated the girls from Bateman so the FBI could conduct the raid.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the firing, Conway texted Chesky and Lehane demanding a public-relations offensive.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
He was whistled for a third offensive foul just before halftime.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Mets’ offense seems to be boom-or-bust without a lot of in-between, and the defense is still making adjustments with so many players playing out of position.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
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The report states authorities were initially called because a male was seen vaping on the plane, which is a federal offense.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, Iran's military and government survived the onslaught, are still functioning, and are now making their own demands in negotiations that lie ahead.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
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Resisting an early onslaught from PSG is key to Liverpool's chances of keeping the tie alive heading into the return leg at Anfield next week.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The majority of these strikes happen during the summer, causing around 20 fatalities each year, according to the NWS.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Apr. 2026
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Lebanese health authorities said hundreds were killed and wounded in the Israeli strikes.—
Justine McDaniel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Another day, as Mom loads the children into the car, Jeremy tosses a basketball against the house, again and again, his passive aggression registering through the ball’s unyielding thuds and his own frozen gaze.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
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Sources have told The Star that KU’s coaching staff believed in his potential but wanted to see more physicality and aggression from him.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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