View synonyms for coup d'état

coup d'état

[ koo dey-tah; French koo dey-ta ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural coups d'é·tat [koo dey-, tahz, koo dey-, ta].

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

/ ku deta; ˈkuː deɪˈtɑː /

coup d'état

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.”

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

French, literally: stroke of state

Taken together, an autocratic leader and a flatlining stock price are powerful motivators for a coup d'etat.

And there were not wanting men who were ready to construe each emergency measure as a step toward a coup d'etat.

The famous coup d'etat of that year had happened four days before.

If ever an event cast its shadow before it long before its occurrence, it was Bonaparte's "coup d'etat."

During the months of September and October, the rumors of a "coup d'etat" tumbled close upon one another's heels.

The coup d'etat of Maroquin took away from Colombia herself the power of government and vested it in an irresponsible dictator.

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