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
Unlike coups or insurrections, which are swift and explicit, modern democratic backsliding is often incremental.
—
Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
There were also crackdowns and coups and the Bangladesh Liberation War, the India-Pakistan War.
—Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Both Republicans and Democrats throughout history have backed coups in Latin American countries, including Cuba, Chile and Panama.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
National leaders, when killed by foreign adversaries, had usually been dealt with through coups and via proxy militias.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan government has denied these allegations, portraying the agency as essential to defending national sovereignty against coups and foreign intervention.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Zia’s fight against the military dictatorship Bangladesh’s early years of independence, gained in a bloody 1971 war against Pakistan, were marked by assassinations, coups and countercoups as military figures and secular and Islamic leaders jockeyed for power.
—CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent coups in Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger have disrupted governance in West Africa, creating openings for terrorist groups to escalate their attacks in the region.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
But Tendi contends that gender is always a factor in how coups are orchestrated and that coups disproportionately affect women.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Helena Carpio, Time, 16 Jan. 2026
There were also crackdowns and coups and the Bangladesh Liberation War, the India-Pakistan War.
—Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
Both Republicans and Democrats throughout history have backed coups in Latin American countries, including Cuba, Chile and Panama.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 14 Jan. 2026
National leaders, when killed by foreign adversaries, had usually been dealt with through coups and via proxy militias.
—Séamus Malekafzali, Washington Post, 8 Jan. 2026
The Venezuelan government has denied these allegations, portraying the agency as essential to defending national sovereignty against coups and foreign intervention.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2026
Zia’s fight against the military dictatorship Bangladesh’s early years of independence, gained in a bloody 1971 war against Pakistan, were marked by assassinations, coups and countercoups as military figures and secular and Islamic leaders jockeyed for power.
—CNN Money, 30 Dec. 2025
Recent coups in Burkina Faso, Chad and Niger have disrupted governance in West Africa, creating openings for terrorist groups to escalate their attacks in the region.
—Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
But Tendi contends that gender is always a factor in how coups are orchestrated and that coups disproportionately affect women.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coups
Noun
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Your questions and comments as well as gardening conundrums and successes are always welcome.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
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Like past speeches, Newsom will tout the successes of California, now the world’s fourth-largest economy.—
Melody Gutierrez,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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KidsFest activities will return for Sundays at Petco Park, with select Sundays throughout the home schedule dedicated to saluting different military branches, accomplishments and history.—
Jeff Sanders,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
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Not all honorees were present, but all had had a list of accomplishments read about them.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But one accolade missing from their long list of achievements is Olympic ice dance gold, having finished just off the podium in fourth in Beijing.—
Michelle Bruton,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Construction Safety award nominations open An annual awards banquet to celebrate construction excellence and safety is returning to Merrillville, where builders and project owners will gather in May to recognize last year’s achievements, according to a release.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Coups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coups. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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