coups Definition
a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government.
Using coups: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "coups" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The military staged a coup and overthrew the government.
Example
The country has experienced several coups in its history.
Example
The failed coup attempt resulted in many arrests.
Example
The opposition party accused the ruling party of planning a coup.
coups Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for coups
Phrases with coups
coup d'état
a sudden and decisive action in politics, especially one resulting in a change of government illegally or by force
Example
The general led a coup d'état and took control of the country.
counter-coup
an attempt to overthrow a government that has itself been established as a result of a previous coup
Example
The counter-coup was unsuccessful, and the new government remained in power.
Example
The bloodless coup was achieved through political maneuvering and negotiation.
Origins of coups
from French 'coup', meaning 'blow' or 'strike'
Summary: coups in Brief
The term 'coups' [kuː] refers to a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government. It is often associated with phrases like 'coup d'état,' which denotes a sudden and decisive action in politics, and 'bloodless coup,' which implies a lack of violence. Examples of coups include the military overthrowing a government or an opposition party accusing the ruling party of planning a coup.