foul play

noun

: violence

especially : murder

Synonyms of foul play

• murder
• homicide
• blood
• killing

Examples of foul play in a Sentence

There is no evidence of foul play.

the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play, while circumstances leading up to the fall remain unclear. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

But one detective on the investigative team, Dick Martin, was convinced there was foul play. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

In a statement Monday, the police department in Des Plains, Illinois, said there were no immediate indications of foul play and that the circumstances surrounding Satterley’s death were not considered suspicious. — Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 28 Sep. 2026

Public safety officials said there was no evidence of foul play, and an autopsy ha been scheduled. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foul play

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

foul play

noun

: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct

especially : violence sense 1

a victim of foul play