as in attack
the act or action of setting upon with force or violence
the Continental Army's attack on the British-Hessian encampment at Trenton, New Jersey, ranks as one of the most brilliant coups de main of the war
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of coup de main
Ryan Reynolds walked arm in arm with Blake Lively, and there were polite air-kisses and an appearance by Martha Stewart—but like the film’s coup de main, the night was filled with surprises.
—
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Lauren Sanchez, Vogue, 11 Sep. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main
Noun
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Though no one was ever charged in the attack, FALN, which planted more than 100 bombs in New York City and Chicago during the 1970s and ’80s, proudly claimed responsibility.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
24 Jan. 2025
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The three women lived in the home on King Road with two other women who went physically unharmed in the early-morning attack, and Chapin was Kernodle’s boyfriend and stayed over for the night.—
Kevin Fixler,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The incoming administration is expected to conduct raids in major cities like Chicago.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
20 Jan. 2025
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His plans also include ICE raids in major metropolitan areas and placing additional restrictions on who is eligible to enter the US. 3.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Amid this onslaught, the SDF has publicized several clips showcasing FPV drone strikes targeting the SNA.—
Paul Iddon,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
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Happiness is something fans appear to be embracing on Erika these days, with the onslaught of social media negativity subsiding in favor of praise.—
Dave Quinn,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Beijing has also softened its regulatory assault on Chinese technology companies and the property sector.—
Jacky Wong,
WSJ,
6 Feb. 2023
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Zelenskyy has warned for weeks that Moscow aims to step up its assault after about two months of virtual stalemate along the front line that stretches across the south and east.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
31 Jan. 2023
Noun
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In earnings reported this morning, Boeing reported its largest loss since 2020 after problems at its commercial and defense units and a crippling worker strike.—
Medora Lee,
USA TODAY,
28 Jan. 2025
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Boeing’s results were impacted, as expected, by a nearly two-month machinist strike that idled work on most of its aircraft and lengthened delivery delays to customers, which pay for the bulk of their planes when they’re received.—
Leslie Josephs,
CNBC,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
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And Mike Waltz, the nominee for national security adviser, has said the administration will support another Israeli offensive into Gaza if the cease-fire, announced on January 15, does not hold.—
Raja Khalidi,
Foreign Affairs,
20 Jan. 2025
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With Middle East tensions already soaring over the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, backed by the Iran's regional Axis of Resistance coalition, Syria's long-reigning Assad family was suddenly toppled last month at the hands of a rapid rebel offensive.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Tracing the mole’s evolutionary heritage For years the marsupial mole’s strange, specialised traits have frustrated attempts to determine precisely who its closest relatives actually are.—
Charles Feigin / The Conversation,
Popular Science,
23 Jan. 2025
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In the latest attempt to address a worsening youth mental health crisis, the New York City Council on Thursday passed a series of bills that would boost support for students in local public schools.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Darryl Chambers: Convicted in 1998 of a non-violent drug offense, Chambers was sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
19 Jan. 2025
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Four of the five men pardoned committed non-violent offenses, and the other (and the most well-known) was black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey, who has now been posthumously pardoned for mail fraud.—
Brady Knox,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
19 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near coup de main
Cite this Entry
“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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