coup d'état

American  

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

noun

plural

coups d'état

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 British  

/ ku deta, ˈkuː deɪˈtɑː /

noun

1. a sudden violent or illegal seizure of government

---

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.”

---

Etymology

Origin of coup d'état

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

Example Sentences

Most Americans don’t fear a military coup d’état, because they are confident that the armed forces’ loyalties lie with the Constitution.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

“A coup d’état does not result from isolated acts or individual demonstrations lacking coordination, but rather from the actions of organized groups, equipped with resources and strategic capacity to confront and replace the incumbent power.”

From Salon • Sep. 11, 2025

“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

Canada will suspend direct development assistance to the government of Niger in response to the attempted coup d’état in the West African nation, the federal government said on Saturday.

From Reuters • Aug. 6, 2023

Clémenceau, half accomplice, half dupe of M. Thiers' coup d'état, in his quality of mayor and deputy, was the spokesman.

From History of the Commune of 1871 by Lissagary, P.