In recent years, several countries have experienced soft coups that eroded democratic institutions without firing a shot.

Many historians argue that the prime minister's forced resignation, orchestrated through courts and parliament rather than troops, amounted to a soft coup.

Historians debated whether the sudden wave of coup d'états across the region could be traced to foreign interference.

The minister quietly orchestrated a palace coup to replace the aging prime minister without bloodshed.

Historians argue that palace coups often reshaped the succession and bureaucratic hierarchies of ancient kingdoms.

The general refused to send his men through the gorge, calling it a coupe-gorge where any troops trapped would be forced to surrender or be cut to pieces.

The old town's narrow alleys had become notorious coupe-gorges after dark.

After months of secret planning, the colonel's faction executed a coup d'etat at dawn.

With a quick coup d'œil, she assessed the mood of the room.

The general's swift coup d'état caught the international observers off guard.