as in attack
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of coup de main
Ryan Reynolds walked arm in arm with Blake Lively, and there were polite air-kisses and an appearance by Martha Stewart—but like the film’s coup de main, the night was filled with surprises.
—
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main
Noun
-
The three women lived in the home on King Road with two other women who went physically unharmed in the early-morning attack, and Chapin was Kernodle’s boyfriend and stayed over for the night.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Jan. 2025
-
An even more pointed distinction comes when audio of a news report is layered over images of memorials and prayers for the victims of the mosque attack.—
Caryn James,
The Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the end, the police raid a facility used as a base for the Slide organization.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
TIME,
31 Jan. 2025
-
While the focus of President Donald Trump's immigration policies has been on enforcement raids across the country and his executive orders, House Republicans have introduced at least six bills aimed at immigration reform.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
One potential problem for such an onslaught is that the senators most likely to oppose Gabbard may not be as vulnerable to attacks from their right flank.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
29 Jan. 2025
-
Furthermore, situations like setting up a new home, buying another wardrobe, or the sight of a fire truck can all trigger an onslaught of memories and emotion down the line.—
Christina Pérez,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
-
Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Boeing’s results were impacted, as expected, by a nearly two-month machinist strike that idled work on most of its aircraft and lengthened delivery delays to customers, which pay for the bulk of their planes when they’re received.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2025
-
In earnings reported this morning, Boeing reported its largest loss since 2020 after problems at its commercial and defense units and a crippling worker strike.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
More than 47,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory air and ground offensive, over half women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many of the dead were fighters.—
Imad Isseid,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Feb. 2025
-
In the more than 15 months since, more than 47,000 people in Gaza were killed in Israel's offensive, according to Palestinian health officials.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC News,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
In the latest attempt to address a worsening youth mental health crisis, the New York City Council on Thursday passed a series of bills that would boost support for students in local public schools.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
-
His upcoming film Mickey 17 is already generating tons of buzz, and even though all of this is just an attempt to raise awareness of its upcoming release—stan Twitter can’t get enough of Rob’s commitment to the bit.—
Kleigh Balugo,
StyleCaster,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Rane is in custody in France, where he’s been detained since 2022 in connection with child exploitation and similar offenses, the Justice Department said.—
Julia Marnin,
Sacramento Bee,
31 Jan. 2025
-
The misdemeanor offense carries a prison sentence of up to one year in federal prison.—
Meredith Deliso,
ABC News,
31 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near coup de main
Cite this Entry
“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share