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

Inflected Forms

noun

• coups d'état
  plural

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

“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

"The United States has concluded that a military coup d’état has taken place in Gabon," a U.S.

From Reuters • Oct. 24, 2023

The term "insurrection" is almost synonymous with "coup d'état" and the idea that you are trying to overthrow the government.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2023

Shortly before the Revolution of 1848 he began, and soon after the coup d'état finished, his Histoire de la Révolution.

From A Short History of French Literature by Saintsbury, George