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View synonyms for coup d'état

coup d'état

[ koo dey-tah; French koo dey-ta ]

noun

, plural coups d'é·tat [koo dey-, tahz, koo dey-, ta].
  1. a sudden and decisive action in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force.

    Synonyms: uprising, revolution, rebellion, overthrow



coup d'état

/ ku deta; ˈkuː deɪˈtɑː /

noun

  1. a sudden violent or illegal seizure of government
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


coup d'état

  1. A quick and decisive seizure of governmental power by a strong military or political group. In contrast to a revolution, a coup d'état, or coup , does not involve a mass uprising. Rather, in the typical coup, a small group of politicians or generals arrests the incumbent leaders, seizes the national radio and television services, and proclaims itself in power. Coup d'état is French for “stroke of the state” or “blow to the government.”


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Word History and Origins

Origin of coup d'état1

1640–50; < French: literally, stroke concerning the state
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Word History and Origins

Origin of coup d'état1

French, literally: stroke of state

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