putsch
putsch — noun
- putschsingular
- putschesplural
1. a secretly planned, sudden attempt by a small group — usually military officers
a secretly planned, sudden attempt by a small group — usually military officers or political insiders — to seize control of a government by using violence or the threat of violence
The general led a failed putsch against the elected president while the capital slept.
led + putsch + against [target]
Stephanie's grandfather was arrested after the 1973 putsch because he refused to support the new rulers.
putsch preceded by year / passive: was arrested after the putsch
The armed putsch lasted only six hours before loyal troops recaptured the parliament building.
International news agencies called the event a putsch, but local stations described it as a protest.
Nikos wrote a book about the failed putsch and how citizens resisted the tanks.
- coup
shorter, more common equivalent; 'coup' can also be used in non-military contexts (e.g. a boardroom coup)
- coup d'état
the full French phrase from which 'coup' is shortened; slightly more formal and precise
- overthrow
focuses on the result (removing a government) rather than the method (sudden, secret plot)
- counter-coup
a putsch aimed at reversing a previous putsch
文法句型
a + putsch
putsch + against + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently modified by 'failed' or 'military'. Often appears in historical or journalistic writing rather than everyday speech. Distinguished from 'rebellion' or 'uprising' by the small-group, top-down nature of the action — a putsch is planned by a few leaders, not a mass movement.