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putschist

/ˈpʊʧɪst/
IPA guide

Other forms: putschists

A putschist is a person who believes that a government should be overthrown or removed through the use of violence. The word can also refer to someone who takes part in an attempt to overthrow a government.

Putsch is a German word which refers to a sudden attempt to overthrow a government, and it comes from a word that means "a blow or punch." Putschist adds the English suffix ist, in order to refer to a person who takes part in or believes in a putsch. While the word's root refers to a physical blow, a putschist is a political term describing someone who advocates for or participates in this type of political coup.

Definitions of putschist
  1. noun
    someone who believes in, or who is involved in, bringing about political change by overthrowing a government
  2. adjective
    relating to people who believe in or who are involved in an attempt to overthrow a government
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