coup (noun)
Meaning: A sudden and often violent overthrow or takeover of a government or authority, usually involving a change in leadership through force or illegal means.
Examples:
- The military staged a successful coup, leading to a change in government.
- The rebels' attempted coup was quickly suppressed by the government forces.
- The political turmoil in the country was exacerbated by rumors of an imminent coup.
Synonyms: takeover, overthrow, seizure, revolution
Antonyms: surrender, submission, acquiescence
Collocations:
- Coup d'état: A French term referring to a sudden and forceful change of government, often involving a coup.
- Coup attempt: An effort or plan to seize power through a coup, which may or may not be successful.
- Failed coup: A coup that was attempted but did not succeed in achieving its objectives.
Idioms:
- Coup de grâce: A final, decisive action or event that puts an end to something.
- Pull off a coup: Successfully achieve a difficult or unexpected accomplishment.
- Coup against the odds: Accomplishing something that was unlikely to succeed.
Expressions:
- Stage a coup: Plan and execute a takeover of power, often involving military or rebel forces.
- Foiled coup: A coup attempt that was thwarted or prevented from succeeding.
- Coup plotter: A person or group involved in planning or orchestrating a coup.
Word family:
- coupist (noun) - a person involved in planning or executing a coup.
- coupé (noun) - a two-door car or carriage with a fixed roof and a sloping back.
- coupable (adjective) - guilty or blameworthy (French: "coupable").
- coupablement (adverb) - in a guilty manner (French: "coupablement").
- recoup (verb) - to regain, recover, or compensate for losses.
- recoupment (noun) - the act of recovering or regaining something lost.
Root and Meaning:The word "coup" comes from the Old French term "coup," meaning "a blow" or "a strike." In the context of a political coup, the term metaphorically refers to a sudden and forceful "strike" or "blow" against an existing government or authority in order to take control.
Part of Speech: Noun