coup de main

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈmaⁿ How to pronounce coup de main (audio)
Definition of coup de mainnext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for coup de main
  1. attack
  2. assault
  3. raid
  4. offensive
  5. offense
  6. onslaught
  7. strike
  8. aggression
Noun
  • The country's armed forces said that it was targeted by a missile attack that originated from Iranian territory.
    — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of attack
Noun
  • After his discharge, he was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon.
    — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The Hurtados have continued to experience emotional distress from the assault and its aftermath, according to the lawsuit.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of assault
Noun
  • Last month, burglars stole millions of dollars worth of jewelry from the museum of French luxury glassmaker Lalique in a daring early morning raid.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • According to witnesses of the raid, local police and Canyon County sheriff’s deputies assisted ICE agents by zip-tying children and detaining people without asking about their immigration status.
    — Rachel Spacek, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of raid
Noun
  • The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has sued several states that have tried to treat prediction market sites as a form of gambling, a type of legal offensive the agency has never before embarked on.
    — Bobby Allyn, NPR, 31 Aug. 2026
  • More than four decades ago, after months of setbacks in the war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, thousands of young Iranian troops launched a surprise offensive that turned the tide.
    — Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of offensive
Noun
  • Jurors also have the option to find Clancy guilty of the lesser offenses of second-degree murder, which is punishable by a life sentence with the possibility of parole, or manslaughter, which carries a 20-year maximum sentence.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The offense did not produce a touchdown in its nine possessions.
    — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of offense
Noun
  • Following Monday’s onslaught, the Cubs now lead the league in slugging, on-base percentage and OPS and are fourth in team batting average.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Cooler sea water around the islands usually serves as a shield to protect them from the onslaught of tropical storms and hurricanes, which typically need warm water of at least 80 degrees to form and strengthen.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of onslaught
Noun
  • Russian strikes on the city of Dnipro in central Ukraine killed a man and a woman, local officials said.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • So far, the drone strikes have not landed a direct hit on Plesetsk.
    — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of strike
Noun
  • At his best, Fries flies off the ball with force and aggression.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • As quotas for immigration arrests increased that spring, he was asked to press felony charges for even minor aggressions against agents.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

coup de grâce
coup de main
coupe
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Coup de main.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/coup%20de%20main. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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