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
Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Thousands marched through Buenos Aires on Tuesday to mark 50 years since the 1976 military coup that ushered in one of Latin America’s bloodiest dictatorships.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Hollywood Reporter dropped the casting coup alongside the news that Criminal Minds had been picked up for a 20th season.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Ramos, a 21-year-old journalist and poet, and wife Cerrotta, a 27-year-old psychologist, were kidnapped by Argentine military forces in the months following the 1976 coup that ushered in a bloody dictatorship.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coup
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Noun
Allende’s book is inspired by her family’s history and Chilean political events, including the 1973 Chilean coup, in which Allende’s uncle, Salvador Allende, was overthrown.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2026
Thousands marched through Buenos Aires on Tuesday to mark 50 years since the 1976 military coup that ushered in one of Latin America’s bloodiest dictatorships.
—ABC News, 24 Mar. 2026
The Hollywood Reporter dropped the casting coup alongside the news that Criminal Minds had been picked up for a 20th season.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
Ramos, a 21-year-old journalist and poet, and wife Cerrotta, a 27-year-old psychologist, were kidnapped by Argentine military forces in the months following the 1976 coup that ushered in a bloody dictatorship.
—Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for coup
Cite this Entry
“Coup.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coup. Accessed 28 Mar. 2026.
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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