putschist
Americannoun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of putschist
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.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wagner, if it survives, or other emerging Russian mercenary groups, will increasingly find the market limited to putschist regimes using them as the security partner of last resort.
From BBC • Aug. 25, 2023
The Murted base was formerly known as Akinci Air Base and was used by putschist soldiers in the failed 2016 coup.
From Reuters • Jul. 12, 2019
They speculate over the presence of putschist officers at Incirlik Air Base, which the U.S. military also uses.
From Washington Post • Aug. 5, 2016
“The putschist is already in your country, you are looking after him,” he said of Gulen.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 29, 2016
When he first began his guerrilla fight, the Communists dismissed him as inconsequential; Rodr�guez himself laughed off Castro as a "petty putschist."
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
