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
Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Madrid was considered to have pulled off a major coup when beating bitter rival FC Barcelona to Arda Guler by paying more than his Fenerbahce release clause.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The tale of how Jeanie Buss fought off a coup by her own brothers and assumed control of the team is the basis of Running Point.
—Phil Harrell, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
Recently, the pastor scored a remarkable coup for a political influence project that has until now managed to avoid public scrutiny.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
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Noun
There were no indications the group was close to launching a coup.
—Compiled By Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 7 Mar. 2025
Madrid was considered to have pulled off a major coup when beating bitter rival FC Barcelona to Arda Guler by paying more than his Fenerbahce release clause.
—Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
The tale of how Jeanie Buss fought off a coup by her own brothers and assumed control of the team is the basis of Running Point.
—Phil Harrell, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
Recently, the pastor scored a remarkable coup for a political influence project that has until now managed to avoid public scrutiny.
—Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for coup
Articles Related to coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 12 Mar. 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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