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
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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
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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
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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
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His plans also include ICE raids in major metropolitan areas and placing additional restrictions on who is eligible to enter the US. 3.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
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The incoming administration is expected to conduct raids in major cities like Chicago.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Amid this onslaught, the SDF has publicized several clips showcasing FPV drone strikes targeting the SNA.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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The Nets had 20 assists to five turnovers in the first half and somehow survived a 25-point onslaught from Scoot Henderson, who missed only once in his first 10 tries.—
C.J. Holmes,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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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
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At least 80 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since the announcement, Gaza’s Civil Defense said.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
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Gaza's Health Ministry said at least 48 people were killed in Israeli strikes between midday Wednesday and Thursday morning.—
Bradford Betz,
Fox News,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And Mike Waltz, the nominee for national security adviser, has said the administration will support another Israeli offensive into Gaza if the cease-fire, announced on January 15, does not hold.—
Raja Khalidi,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Jan. 2025
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With Middle East tensions already soaring over the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, backed by the Iran's regional Axis of Resistance coalition, Syria's long-reigning Assad family was suddenly toppled last month at the hands of a rapid rebel offensive.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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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
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With this in mind, Germany began to increase their naval activity around Greenland while launching multiple covert attempts to establish their own weather stations on the island.—
James Patton Rogers & Caroline Kennedy Pipe / Made by History ,
TIME,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Four of the five men pardoned committed non-violent offenses, and the other (and the most well-known) was black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey, who has now been posthumously pardoned for mail fraud.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Jan. 2025
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The Chiefs offense produced the third most yards after catch in the league.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
19 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 27 Jan. 2025.
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