coup leader
Seizes power forcibly
A coup leader is the person who organizes or directs a coup d'état—a sudden, often violent seizure of government power.
The term applies whether the attempt succeeds or fails: The coup leader was arrested and charged with treason.
Successful coup leaders typically become the new head of state or install a figurehead while wielding real power.
- dictatorRuler with total control
- juntaPost-coup ruling clique
- military juntaRuling council of officers
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- seize powerTake control by force
military · army general · general · putsch · revolt · seize · strongman · tyranny · uniform · tanks · presidential palace · palace · broadcast · curfew · martial · martial law · emergency decree · power
- military rulemilitary junta, military regime, military rule, military council, junta
- ringleadersringleader, mastermind, kingpin, mob boss, crime boss
- dictatorsdictator, tyrant, despot, autocrat, Stalin
- dissidentsdissident, dissidents, dissenter, rebel, Sakharov
- secret operativesspy, secret agent, double agent, infiltrator, sleeper agent
- controversial figuresdictator, tyrant, demagogue, extremist, war criminal
coup leaderelected official
Voter-chosen public servant
rightful heir · constitutional monarch · parliamentary leader
coup leadercounter-revolutionary
Opposes radical political upheaval
coup, coups, leader, leaders, lead, leading, led, leadership, leaderless