FOUL PLAY Synonyms: 108 Similar and Opposite Words

foul play

noun

Definition of foul play

as in murder

the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's life the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in violence

the use of brute strength to cause harm to a person or property the suspect has a long history of foul play, and was once convicted on assault and battery charges

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 foul play Public safety officials said there was no evidence of foul play, and an autopsy ha been scheduled. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026 According to Morais, investigators did not initially observe any obvious signs of foul play. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026 McCabe said there was no obvious evidence of foul play at the scene and that a death investigation was underway. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026 At the time of the incident, the Tesla vehicle was not in autopilot mode, while a CHP officer told the Los Angeles Times it was believed to be an accident with no signs of foul play. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play

Noun

Days before the mistrial, prosecutors dismissed first-degree murder charges against the two men after jurors deadlocked a first time.

— Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026
Armour invoked the murder of Emmett Till while connecting the controversy to America’s history of White women portraying Black people as threats.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of murder

Noun

In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
In a statement to Rolling Stone, the singer’s attorney, Mathew Rosengart, praised her bravery in fighting the agreement that would have barred her from speaking about her experience and her work with domestic-violence groups.

— Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of violence

Noun

Prison authorities are investigating the incident as a homicide, and the Office of the Inspector General has been notified, according to CDCR.

— Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Traffic homicide investigators are responding at the scene and will continue to gather information throughout the day.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of homicide

Noun

How Doctors Diagnose and Treat It Health care providers use the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to classify trypanophobia as a specific phobia of the blood-injection-injury type.

— Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 8 Oct. 2026
The kids age normally, can eat food and drink blood, and have inherited some of their dad’s special powers.

— Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of blood

Noun

Following the killing, Pike was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, her attorneys said.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
Thirty-two years after Brown Simpson's brutal killing, her sister continues to alert people to the dangers of intimate partner violence.

— Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of killing

Browse Nearby Words

foulness

foul play

fouls

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of foul play

noun

Example Sentences

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