coup d'état

American  

[koo dey-tah, koo dey-ta] / ˌku deɪˈtɑ, ku deɪˈta /

noun

• coups d'état
  plural

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

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coup d'état British  

/ ku deta, ˈkuː deɪˈtɑː /

noun

1. a sudden violent or illegal seizure of government

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coup d'état Cultural  

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• coups d'état
  plural

Etymology

Origin of coup d'état

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coup d'état

Mr. Putin is spending “more time in underground bunkers,” the Financial Times reports, and he is taking other security precautions amid Kremlin concerns “over a coup d’état or an assassination attempt, specifically involving drones.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

“In time of coup d’état and autocracy in Africa, this election is an opportunity to reinforce a unique democracy in central Africa,” said Fred Bauma, executive director of Congolese research institute Ebuteli.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 20, 2023

“After I started writing about the problem of the coup d’état, they didn’t invite me again,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2023

Boluarte said she plans to visit former President Castillo in prison, adding his "coup d'état surprised us all, including his ministers."

From Reuters ● Dec. 9, 2022

Victor Hugo, born 1802, a famous politician and novelist of France, was exiled by Louis Napoleon after the coup d’état.

From The Browning Cyclop?dia A Guide to the Study of the Works of Robert Browning by Edward Berdoe