as in attacks
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coups de main
Noun
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Kabul wants to hedge against its deteriorating relationship with its former patron Islamabad, which accuses the Taliban of harboring a separate but allied group that has carried out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.—
Happymon Jacob,
Time,
16 Oct. 2025 -
But Raducanu’s identity has been harder to maintain — or even define — against the best and most devastating attacks on the WTA Tour.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What about the argument that ICE raids will create jobs for American workers?—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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This year has been nothing short of horrific for our country’s Latine population, thanks to the current administration’s anti-immigration legislation and numerous, often-violent ICE raids, resulting in mass deportations and detainment (sometimes among legal residents and citizens).—
Sofía Viera,
Allure,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The assaults happened in 2024, when Mejia was hired to renovate a family’s bathroom.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
9 Oct. 2025
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The thefts, assaults, and rapes that resulted from these vices often went unpunished, as British commanders prioritized prosecuting the war over protecting civilians.—
Time,
Time,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The fighting followed strikes in the Afghan capital Kabul and the border province of Paktika last Thursday that the Taliban blamed on Pakistan, though Islamabad has not officially acknowledged the attacks.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
15 Oct. 2025
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Nationwide strikes and protests over Belgium’s reform plans caused flight disruptions at two major airports and troubles on public transport on Tuesday, with police there using tear gas and a water cannon to try to disperse crowds, The Associated Press reported.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His free-throw stroke looked good, buoyed by sinking all but two of his eight attempts.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
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But the Wild’s power play has connected five times in two games, and their penalty kill has been scored on once on five attempts, and that was a five-on-three Saturday.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Debates have raged in the busy industry program, standby ticket queues have snaked outside venues for the hottest premieres and the stars — in their droves — have been out in force and on major charm offensives, with distributors using the fest to launch both awards and release campaigns.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
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Israel responded with relentless ground and air offensives in Gaza, displacing more than 2 million Palestinians and killing more than 67,600, according to Gaza health authorities.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Coups de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coups%20de%20main. Accessed 19 Oct. 2025.
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