putschist

American  

[pooch-ist] / ˈpʊtʃ ɪst /

noun

1. a participant in a putsch.

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adjective

1. taking part in or concerned with a putsch.

Etymology

Origin of putschist

1895–1900; < German Putsch putsch + -ist

Explanation

A putschist is a person who believes that a government should be overthrown or removed through the use of violence. The word can also refer to someone who takes part in an attempt to overthrow a government. Putsch is a German word which refers to a sudden attempt to overthrow a government, and it comes from a word that means "a blow or punch." Putschist adds the English suffix ist, in order to refer to a person who takes part in or believes in a putsch. While the word's root refers to a physical blow, a putschist is a political term describing someone who advocates for or participates in this type of political coup.