coup d'etat
Sudden regime change
A coup d'etat is a sudden, violent seizure of government power, typically by a faction within the military or political elite.
The French phrase literally means "stroke of state." Unlike a revolution, which rises from below, a coup replaces leadership from within the existing power structure: The generals staged a coup d'etat while the president was abroad.
Often shortened to coup.
Assuming command of something
- power grabAttempt to seize control
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- ousterForced removal from position
topple · depose · regime change · putsch · destabilize · subvert · unseat · dethrone
Violent uprising against authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- revoltOrganized resistance to power
sedition · insurgency · unrest · dissent · protest · agitation · defiance · resistance
Post-coup ruling clique
- generalsBroad statements or commanders
- tanksStorage vessels for liquids
- martial lawArmed forces governance
- barricadesStructures preventing passage
garrison · troops · officers · commander · armed forces · uniforms · battalion · stratagem
System of governance
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- oligarchyRule by few
- sovereigntySupreme independent authority
parliament · constitution · cabinet · ministry · executive · administration · statecraft · republic
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
- machinationCrafty scheming, often hostile
maneuvering · collusion · subterfuge · betrayal · treachery · secret police · intelligence · espionage
takeover
Assuming command of something
- power grabAttempt to seize control
- usurpationWrongful seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
ouster · topple · depose · regime change · putsch · destabilize · subvert · unseat · dethrone · supplant
insurrection
Violent uprising against authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- mutinyRevolt against authority
revolt · sedition · insurgency · unrest · dissent · protest · agitation · defiance · resistance · turmoil
junta
Post-coup ruling clique
- generalsBroad statements or commanders
- tanksStorage vessels for liquids
- martial lawArmed forces governance
barricades · garrison · troops · officers · commander · armed forces · uniforms · battalion · stratagem · fortification
regime
System of governance
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- autocracyRule by one
- oligarchyRule by few
sovereignty · parliament · constitution · cabinet · ministry · executive · administration · statecraft · republic · monarchy
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- schemeCalculated strategy, often secretive
- cabalScheming political faction
machination · maneuvering · collusion · subterfuge · betrayal · treachery · secret police · intelligence · espionage · informant
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- takeovertakeover, take over, seize power, seizure, hostile takeover
- coupsoverthrow, ousting, dethronement, putsch, dethroning
- political crimestreason, sedition, insurrection, political corruption, overthrow
- political turmoilpolitical instability, power vacuum, uprising, revolt, civil unrest
- power grabshostile takeover, overthrow, putsch, seizure, takeover
coup d'etatelection
Organized public voting
popular vote · ballot box · referendum · plebiscite · inauguration
coup d'etatpolitical stability
Enduring, predictable state authority
status quo · normalcy · stability · established order · constitutional order