Skip to main content

coup — a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

Pronunciation (IPA): /kuː/

Example Sentences

  • The chef's decision to add pineapple to pizza was considered a coup against Italian culinary traditions.
  • The opposition party's coup was swiftly crushed by loyal forces.
  • Landing that celebrity endorsement was a real marketing coup.

coup

NOUN

[/kuː/]

a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

a uniformed military commander forcefully escorts a government official away from the building entrance. The commander grips the official's arm while pointing toward a waiting military vehicle. The official looks shocked and protests but cannot resist the armed guards surrounding them. Government workers and civilians scatter in fear as soldiers take control of the building.  a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government
💡 Concept

a uniformed military commander forcefully escorts a government official away from the building entrance. The commander grips the official's arm while pointing toward a waiting military vehicle. The official looks shocked and protests but cannot resist the armed guards surrounding them. Government workers and civilians scatter in fear as soldiers take control of the building. a sudden, violent, and illegal seizure of power from a government

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/kuː/
🇬🇧 UK/kuː/

🌳Etymology

Rootcoup

Origin

From French 'coup' meaning 'blow' or 'strike'. Originally shortened from 'coup d'état' (literally 'blow to the state'), referring to a sudden overthrow of government.

Breakdown

coup (blow/strike) - no prefix or suffix, stands alone as borrowed from French

🎵Rhyme

crew
flew
grew
knew
threw

🔗Collocations

military coup
stage a coup
coup attempt
bloodless coup
failed coup
coup leader

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The chef's decision to add pineapple to pizza was considered a coup against Italian culinary traditions.”

“The opposition party's coup was swiftly crushed by loyal forces.”

“Landing that celebrity endorsement was a real marketing coup.”

😄 Fun example

“My cat staged a coup and claimed the dog's bed as her new territory.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.