countercoup

[ koun-ter-koo ]

noun

, plural coun·ter·coups [koun, -ter-kooz].

1. a coup aimed at the replacement of a government that itself achieved power through an earlier coup.

Word History and Origins

Origin of countercoup¹

First recorded in 1960–65; counter- + coup ¹

Example Sentences

The king and his family then relocated to northern Greece, seeking to lead a countercoup.

From Washington Post

A few months later, he was forced to flee the country after leading an unsuccessful countercoup against the then military junta.

From Reuters

In mid-May, Goita’s government said security forces had thwarted a countercoup attempt that it said was supported by an unnamed Western government.

From Seattle Times

Security forces thwarted the countercoup against coup leader Col.

From Washington Post

Mali says it foiled countercoup: The Malian government headed by a two-time coup leader announced that security forces had thwarted a countercoup that it said was supported by a Western government.

From Washington Post