plural coups
ˈküz 
1
: a sudden decisive exercise of force in politics and especially the violent overthrow or alteration of an existing government by a small group : coup d'état
In its first few hours, the coup seemed a terrifying confirmation of the power of the military, the police and, especially, the KGB.—
David Remnick
David RemnickBy nightfall, the troops had freed the captured President and ended the six-day-old coup, a military spokesman said.—Marlise Simons
Marlise Simons2
: a brilliant, sudden, and usually highly successful stroke or act
It's an impressive coup for the NCAA and its corporate sponsors to snag an artist with Springsteen's cachet for this event.—Chris Strauss
Chris StraussFrom time to time, the conspiracy groupies pull off a huge disinformation coup.—Alex Kozinski
Alex KozinskiForeseeing a publicity coup, chairman Roger Smith was determined to exhibit an electric car at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 1990.—Mark Fischetti
see also coup de grâce
Mark FischettiExamples of coup in a Sentence
Noun
It was a major coup when they got the Vice President to appear on their show for an interview.
winning that big contract was a real coup
Recent Examples on the Web
Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The earthquake will also further hurt a Myanmar business community already suffering from the pullout of international businesses after the 2021 coup.
—Tharaphi Than, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Pairing one of the nation’s most celebrated authors with its most famous opera company would seem to be a serious coup.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Since staging a coup in 2021, the Tatmadaw—Myanmar’s military—has been in breakout wars with pro-democracy rebels and ethnic militias across the country.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
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Noun
Min Aung Hlaing and senior members of his government are shunned and sanctioned by many Western countries for their 2021 coup and human rights abuses.
—Grant Peck, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2025
The earthquake will also further hurt a Myanmar business community already suffering from the pullout of international businesses after the 2021 coup.
—Tharaphi Than, The Conversation, 4 Apr. 2025
Pairing one of the nation’s most celebrated authors with its most famous opera company would seem to be a serious coup.
—Christopher Maag, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
Since staging a coup in 2021, the Tatmadaw—Myanmar’s military—has been in breakout wars with pro-democracy rebels and ethnic militias across the country.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
coup
noun
: injury occurring on the side of an organ (as the brain) on which a blow or impact is received compare contrecoup
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