COUP DE MAIN Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

coup de main

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈmaⁿ

Definition of coup de main

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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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

Noun

While a ground operation would be complex, the ISIS report pointed out several possible avenues for attack.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
That case focused mostly on the details of the knife attack itself; the federal one delves more into questions of motive.

— ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Prosecutors said the elder Gray gave his son the assault-style rifle used to open fire at the school.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
City Councilmember Rowena Brown said she was punched, choked and dragged by her hair through her downtown Oakland apartment over the weekend by an acquaintance who is now charged with felony counts of assault, robbery and false imprisonment.

— Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 23 July 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Palestinians described searches that included raids of a hospital in the city of Nablus, one of the territory's most violent areas.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
Though the Department of Homeland Security last week ordered agents to pause most vehicle stops, organizers said reports of immigration raids continue to fuel fear and uncertainty throughout immigrant communities.

— Lila Hempel-Edgers, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Iranian officials have threatened ground offensives against US bases or regional states like Kuwait and Bahrain if the US targets Iranian territory, even proposing capturing American soldiers.

— Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Ultimately, analysts say, only a ground offensive involving tens of thousands of troops is likely to remove them.

— Chris Lau, CNN Money, 26 July 2026

Definition of offensive

Noun

Sure, the three looked better as the season went on but opposing offenses still continued to attack, something that will surely happen again if there’s no improvement.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Those penalties significantly hampered an offense that failed to generate explosive plays.

— Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Definition of offense

Noun

Bercich said the day the Metrodome roof caved in, Ryan’s car idled on the side of the road, unable to handle the onslaught of snow.

— Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Meanwhile, Honda is planning the release of a new hybrid system that will better fit larger vehicles, in order to maintain its position in the face of the onslaught.

— Robert Ferris, CNBC, 23 July 2026

Definition of onslaught

Noun

What if Penelope’s waiting is her own form of aggression, a way of holding a space, for as long as possible, that excludes the men and their own attempts at power?

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
When scientists temporarily disabled mole-rats’ olfactory sensory neurons with chemicals, the aggression towards strangers disappeared.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

coup de grâce

coup de main

coupe

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“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of coup de main

noun

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