coup d'état

coup d'é·tat  (k d-tä)

n. pl. coups d'état (k) or coup d'états (d-täz)

The sudden overthrow of a government by a usually small group of persons in or previously in positions of authority.

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[French : coup, blow, stroke + de, of + état, state.]

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coup d'état [koo day-tah, kooz day-tah]

Noun

pl coups d'état a sudden violent or illegal overthrow of a government [French]

Thesaurus

coup d'état

noun overthrow, takeover, coup, rebellion, putsch, seizure of power, palace revolution