as in successes
a successful result brought about by hard work
winning that big contract was a real coup
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Recent Examples of coups
In at least three Sahel states — Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — military juntas that came to power in coups, notably Niger and Mali, have expelled Western military forces.
—
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has been led by four different military rulers and seen three coups.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Since 2020, the continent has now seen 10 successful coups across eight countries.
—John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Nowhere have these coups and revolutions promoted and funded by NED (and the CIA itself) been even remotely successful.
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Other African leaders would have terms either too short, broken by coups or assassinations, or too long, extended by a refusal to leave office; Nkrumah’s tenure somehow managed both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The country has endured 14 military coups, from the 1889 coup that ended the monarchy and gave birth to the Republic of Brazil to Bolsonaro’s failed 2022 attempt to prevent Lula from taking power.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Of all of the casting coups that Anderson has pulled off over the years, the most impressive is still Mark Wahlberg’s turn as Dirk Diggler.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Until 2023, populist parties Thaksin backed had won every election since 2001 only to be repeatedly ousted by judicial and military coups—turmoil punctuated by often deadly street protests.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2025
Since independence in 1947, Pakistan has been led by four different military rulers and seen three coups.
—Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
Since 2020, the continent has now seen 10 successful coups across eight countries.
—John Joseph Chin, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2025
Nowhere have these coups and revolutions promoted and funded by NED (and the CIA itself) been even remotely successful.
—Ron Paul, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025
Other African leaders would have terms either too short, broken by coups or assassinations, or too long, extended by a refusal to leave office; Nkrumah’s tenure somehow managed both.
—Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
The country has endured 14 military coups, from the 1889 coup that ended the monarchy and gave birth to the Republic of Brazil to Bolsonaro’s failed 2022 attempt to prevent Lula from taking power.
—Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 29 Sep. 2025
Of all of the casting coups that Anderson has pulled off over the years, the most impressive is still Mark Wahlberg’s turn as Dirk Diggler.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2025
Until 2023, populist parties Thaksin backed had won every election since 2001 only to be repeatedly ousted by judicial and military coups—turmoil punctuated by often deadly street protests.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coups
Noun
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The latest Footage Film successes are Adopted 2 and Run.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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Opening our doors also means engaging with the public through patient education, community health forums, and transparency about successes and setbacks.—
Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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His accomplishments highlight both his teamwork and drive for excellence.—
Erick Trevino,
AZCentral.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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But the Kennedy Institute, which celebrates its 10th anniversary tonight, is not just about the accomplishments of one of the most significant legislators of the modern era.—
Martin J. Walsh,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Alongside their impressive achievements, the founding generation failed to reach a just accommodation with the Native American population, and failed to end slavery or, more realistically, put it on the road to extinction.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Oct. 2025
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Reflecting on all of his incredible life achievements, Ace’s memory will continue to live on forever!—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Coups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coups. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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