foul play

noun

Definition of foul playnext
1
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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2
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
  1. murder
  2. violence
  3. homicide
  4. blood
  5. killing
Noun
  • The story revolves around private eye Raymond Gunn (Rockwell), who is drawn into a case involving murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova, voiced by Johansson.
    — Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The best way Ray can think of to do so is to tail her shady husband, Dom (Bobby Cannavale) — all the way into a sordid (but still vaguely family-friendly) web of deceit, murder, blackmail and gangland drama.
    — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 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
  • Roberts was indicted on a first-degree murder charge in Russell’s killing.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Much of the criticism of Hegseth’s plan for Hasan has centered not on the method of killing, but on the livestreaming of it.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of killing

Browse Nearby Words

foulness
foul play
fouls
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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