as in successes
a successful result brought about by hard work
winning that big contract was a real coup
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Recent Examples of coups
Other African leaders would have terms either too short, broken by coups or assassinations, or too long, extended by a refusal to leave office; Nkrumah’s tenure somehow managed both.
—
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The country has endured 14 military coups, from the 1889 coup that ended the monarchy and gave birth to the Republic of Brazil to Bolsonaro’s failed 2022 attempt to prevent Lula from taking power.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Of all of the casting coups that Anderson has pulled off over the years, the most impressive is still Mark Wahlberg’s turn as Dirk Diggler.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Until 2023, populist parties Thaksin backed had won every election since 2001 only to be repeatedly ousted by judicial and military coups—turmoil punctuated by often deadly street protests.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Uganda’s economy had been devastated by a civil war, coups and an HIV epidemic.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The country experienced coups in 2006 and 2014.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
The revelations included instances of the CIA’s violating its charter with assassinations, coups, dirty tricks, human drug experimentation, and domestic spying, especially on opponents of Nixon’s war in Southeast Asia.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2020
Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The country has endured 14 military coups, from the 1889 coup that ended the monarchy and gave birth to the Republic of Brazil to Bolsonaro’s failed 2022 attempt to prevent Lula from taking power.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Of all of the casting coups that Anderson has pulled off over the years, the most impressive is still Mark Wahlberg’s turn as Dirk Diggler.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Until 2023, populist parties Thaksin backed had won every election since 2001 only to be repeatedly ousted by judicial and military coups—turmoil punctuated by often deadly street protests.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Uganda’s economy had been devastated by a civil war, coups and an HIV epidemic.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025
The country experienced coups in 2006 and 2014.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2025
The revelations included instances of the CIA’s violating its charter with assassinations, coups, dirty tricks, human drug experimentation, and domestic spying, especially on opponents of Nixon’s war in Southeast Asia.
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 Apr. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coups
Noun
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In the end, Krantz added, adopting a more strategic approach ultimately benefits customers, allowing companies to use their time and money more effectively by learning from the successes of others.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
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Dave and a rotating cast of smart, thought-provoking guests talk about their inspirations, failures, successes, fame, and identities.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For director and producer Robert Eric Wise, the goal of the documentary was to introduce more young people to the work and accomplishments of pivotal Black Fort Worth residents.—
Ciara McCarthy,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Second, following Hamas's defeat, the IDF and intelligence agencies achieved impressive military accomplishments, including the blow dealt to Hamas, seizing the opportunity to destroy most of Syria's military capabilities—paving the way for the blow dealt to Iran.—
Ehud Barak,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But mature people can separate the flawed man from his achievements and can understand the historical magnitude of what his discovery unleashed.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
13 Oct. 2025
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From the Oscars to the Globes, look back at Keaton's career achievements.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coups. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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