foul play

noun

: violence
especially : murder

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
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.
There were no signs of foul play and officers are investigating the circumstances of her death, a police official told CNN last month. Correction: A previous version of this story misidentified the time period Kim Soo Hyun had stayed quiet. Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2025 Although the preliminary investigation reveals no signs of foul play, detectives from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s are awaiting the autopsy results before reaching a final conclusion. Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2025 Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play. Stepheny Price, Fox News, 24 Mar. 2025 The autopsy report said his death appeared to be accidental and did not indicate any signs of foul play. Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul play was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

foul play

noun
: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct
especially : violence sense 1
a victim of foul play

More from Merriam-Webster on foul play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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