COUP DE MAIN Synonyms: 55 Similar and Opposite Words

coup de main

noun

ˌkü-də-ˈmaⁿ

Definition of coup de main

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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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

Noun

The claim that Ukraine has halted its strikes on energy sites could not be independently verified, but neither Russian officials nor media have reported Ukrainian attacks on oil refineries since the energy truce was announced.

— HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Before the current attacks, the airport handled roughly 110,000 passengers a day — similar in scale to Miami International airport.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of attack

Noun

Mace and Bryant were not yet engaged at the time of the October 2018 assault.

— MEG KINNARD, Arkansas Online, 15 Oct. 2026
On Tuesday, the DA’s Office charged Gonzalez with assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, elder abuse, vandalism and battery.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of assault

Noun

Feds seize 'Squad' member's phone in raid linked to immigration fraud probe.

— , FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
An area attorney and former chief public defender who was arrested earlier this year on multiple felony drug charges after a raid on his residence was arrested again early Monday on drug and gun charges following a traffic stop.

— Steven Mross, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of raid

Noun

Asked what the return of star freshman wide receiver Trent Mosley brought to the USC offense, Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava kept his answer simple.

— Sean Campbell, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026
His value could be the difference for the Gators, opening up an offense that projects to run through one of the most dominant frontcourts in college basketball history.

— Noah White, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of offense

Noun

Alongside the attack on the GFS Galaxy, the weekend onslaught on Hormuz shipping also hit two crude oil tankers and three refined product tankers.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Officials are also continuing to monitor coastal homes that were red- and yellow-tagged during the weekend onslaught.

— Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of onslaught

Noun

From accessing their money to ordering a taxi or takeout, millions of Russians were feeling the impact of Ukrainian strikes on the data centers of the country’s internet giant Yandex in their daily life.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 19 Oct. 2026
At least one person died and more than a dozen were injured in a major Ukrainian drone strike yesterday on Saint Petersburg, Russia's former imperial capital.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of strike

Noun

On the contrary, airpower remains the most potent piece of the United States’ conventional forces, as well as its main source of both deterrent capacity and warfighting advantage against conventional aggression by hostile states.

— Justin Bronk, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
Publicly sharing Hasan’s death is unlikely to deter future acts of monstrous aggression, as Hegseth claims.

— Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of aggression

Browse Nearby Words

coup de grâce

coup de main

coupe

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

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Synonyms of coup de main

noun

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