coup d'état
Seizing government power
A coup d'état is the sudden, often violent overthrow of a government, typically by a small group—usually military officers or political insiders—seizing power outside legal channels.
The French phrase means "stroke of state." Often shortened to coup: The generals attempted a coup but loyal forces prevailed.
By extension, any swift takeover of an organization: a boardroom coup.
Those devising secret plans
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- conspiratorsSecret joint schemers
- generalsBroad statements or commanders
- colonelsSenior military officers
cabal · ringleaders · dissidents · loyalists · praetorian guard · officer corps · insurrectionists · puppet leader
Forcible government overthrow attempt
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
- takeoverAssuming command of something
usurpation · power grab · constitutional crisis · state capture · executive overreach · dissolution
Forcible removal from power
- deposeRemove from authority
- toppleCause to fall
- oustRemove from position
- seize powerTake control by force
unseat · dethrone · usurp · supplant · remove · arrest · detain · occupy
Armed forces governance
- curfewMandated return time
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
- crackdownSudden strict enforcement
repression · exile · tribunal · sanctions · recognition · legitimacy crisis · resistance · counterrevolution
Occurring without prior notice
- swiftMoving with speed
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- abruptSharp and unexpected
- bloodlessWithout shedding any gore
violent · failed · successful · civilian · brazen · coordinated · clandestine
Authority over a state
- presidentElected leader of nation
- prime ministerLeader of a parliamentary state
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
- parliamentNational legislative assembly
constitution · cabinet · legislature · palace · capitol · state broadcaster · central bank · military command
plotters
Those devising secret plans
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- conspiratorsSecret joint schemers
- generalsBroad statements or commanders
colonels · cabal · ringleaders · dissidents · loyalists · praetorian guard · officer corps · insurrectionists · puppet leader · figurehead
putsch
Forcible government overthrow attempt
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- seizureForcible taking or convulsion
takeover · usurpation · power grab · constitutional crisis · state capture · executive overreach · dissolution
overthrow
Forcible removal from power
seize power · unseat · dethrone · usurp · supplant · remove · arrest · detain · occupy · storm
martial law
Armed forces governance
- curfewMandated return time
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
crackdown · repression · exile · tribunal · sanctions · recognition · legitimacy crisis · resistance · counterrevolution · restoration
sudden
Occurring without prior notice
- swiftMoving with speed
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- abruptSharp and unexpected
bloodless · violent · failed · successful · civilian · brazen · coordinated · clandestine
government
Authority over a state
- presidentElected leader of nation
- prime ministerLeader of a parliamentary state
- monarchHereditary supreme ruler
parliament · constitution · cabinet · legislature · palace · capitol · state broadcaster · central bank · military command · airports
Pinochet
Chilean military autocrat
coup d'étatelection
Organized public voting
popular vote · ballot box · democratic process · referendum · abdication
coup d'étatconstitutional order
System of supreme laws
status quo · stability · political stability · rule of law · normalcy
coup d'étatdemocracy
Rule by the people
consent of the governed · electoral mandate · self-determination · civilian rule · representative government