coup d'état

noun

ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä 

ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä,

-də-

variants or coup d'etat

plural coups d'état or coups d'etat ˌkü-(ˌ)dā-ˈtä 

ˈkü-(ˌ)dā-ˌtä,

-də-

also coup d'états or coup d'etats

: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics

especially : the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group

a military coup d'état of the dictator

Examples of coup d'état in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Viktor learns of a coup d'etat in his country while at New York's JFK Airport, and, after the U.S. refuses to recognize his passport, he is forced to stay at the airport's terminal. —Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 20 Mar. 2025

Spain The former king of Spain, Juan Carlos, saw an explosion of popularity in the 1980s after helping to foil a coup d'etat attempt. —Justin Klawans, theweek, 27 Feb. 2024

The ceremony came after Nguema seized power in a coup d'etat last week, in the latest usurping of control in African countries. —Justin Klawans, The Week, 4 Sep. 2023

Bazoum was deposed from power three weeks ago during a coup d'etat that installed a military junta in Niger, and has been imprisoned in the basement of the presidential palace ever since. —Justin Klawans, The Week, 12 Aug. 2023

Fighting began after the RSF attempted to seize control of the Sudanese government in an ongoing coup d'etat. —Justin Klawans, The Week, 18 Apr. 2023

A lot of crazy things have to happen for the Colts to make it to January, including Ralph Nader seizing the presidency in a bloody coup d'etat. —Nat Newell, The Indianapolis Star, 10 July 2020

Also in attendance at that event was the junta leader who seized power in Guinea a little over a year after Mali's coup d'etat. —Krista Larson, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022

In August 1991, hard-liners in the government launched an abortive coup d'etat. —William Welch and Jorge Ortiz, USA TODAY, 30 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, stroke of state

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

coup d'état

noun

coup d'é·​tat

ˌküd-(ˌ)ā-ˈtä,

ˌküd-ə-

plural coups d'état

-ˈtä(z)

: a sudden overthrowing of a government by a small group

Etymology

from French coup d'état, literally, "stroke of state (the government)," from coup "blow, stroke" and de "of" and état "state"