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

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.”

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup d'état¹

1640–50; < French: literally, stroke concerning the state

Word History and Origins

Origin of coup d'état¹

French, literally: stroke of state

Example Sentences

Taken together, an autocratic leader and a flatlining stock price are powerful motivators for a coup d'etat.

From The Daily Beast

And there were not wanting men who were ready to construe each emergency measure as a step toward a coup d'etat.

From Project Gutenberg

The famous coup d'etat of that year had happened four days before.

From Project Gutenberg

If ever an event cast its shadow before it long before its occurrence, it was Bonaparte's "coup d'etat."

From Project Gutenberg

During the months of September and October, the rumors of a "coup d'etat" tumbled close upon one another's heels.

From Project Gutenberg

The coup d'etat of Maroquin took away from Colombia herself the power of government and vested it in an irresponsible dictator.

From Project Gutenberg