1
as in turbulent
marked by wet and windy conditions
the foul weather brought out the windbreakers and rain slickers as everyone braced for a day of rough sailing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unfair
not being in accordance with the rules or standards of what is fair in sport
an aggressive hockey player who is known for his foul play and readiness for a fight
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment
a foul taste that made us gag
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in obscene
depicting or referring to sexual matters in a way that is unacceptable in polite society
that movie features nonstop foul language
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell
the foul fumes from the paper mill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in filthy
not clean
I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to dirty
to make dirty
the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable
industrial pollution fouling the water supply
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the minister was irreparably fouled by baseless rumors and allegations
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to rot
to go through decomposition
unless you want to smell the organic refuse as it fouls, locate the compost heap away from the house
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foul
Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
The play occurred in the sixth inning when the ball was hit into foul territory.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2025
In addition, Kansas struggled to defend the Wildcats without fouling.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Adjective
With one out and a runner on first, Alves read the ball and sprinted from his position at third base for a diving catch in foul territory for the second out.
—Jacob Steinberg, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2025
The play occurred in the sixth inning when the ball was hit into foul territory.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
In the communities along the Gunpowder River, from Joppatowne and Rumsey Island as well as down past Harewood and Oliver Beach in Baltimore County, the clays and silts continue to foul the waters.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 7 Mar. 2025
In addition, Kansas struggled to defend the Wildcats without fouling.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
Adjective
-
Losses weren’t quite as dire as on Thursday for media and tech stocks, but the morning still signaled a glum end to a turbulent week.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
4 Apr. 2025
-
From playing a spirited college student in All American: Homecoming to navigating the turbulent world of Snowfall, Williams has mastered the art of transformation.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, Leavitt said the high tariffs are unfair for Americans, and the United States should charge the same, in kind.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
31 Mar. 2025
-
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday the tariffs would offset unfair treatment the U.S. has faced for decades.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Do not tell the patient disgusting hospital stories about your own operations or procedures.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Using that platform to engage in partisan attacks and accuse former Department leadership of weaponizing law enforcement is a disgusting betrayal of those values.—
Mark Davis,
Newsweek,
14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Presented at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, in 1976 as part of a group show of artists’ books, Santoro’s volume was immediately censored as obscene and offensive.—
Paola Ugolini,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2025
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Cybertruck owners have shared displays of hostility from other motorists on a Facebook page, including vulgar notes left on their vehicles and obscene gestures directed at them from passing cars.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA TODAY,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
This is about a team with a top-10 payroll whose GM committed too stinking much of it to dogs that can’t, or won’t, pull the sled.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2019
-
Muttaiah said the man inside the stinking manhole was working without any safety equipment — no gloves, no shoes, no supplemental oxygen.—
Joanna Slater,
Washington Post,
16 Dec. 2019
Adjective
-
Chicagoans will have no one to hold accountable at the ballot box when the buses don’t arrive and rail stations are filthy and crime-ridden.—
Forrest Claypool,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2025
-
The plastic waste China received was filthy, much of it too dirty to be cleaned, shredded, and turned into new plastic.—
Scott W. Stern,
The Atlantic,
10 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Grease dirtied the handles of the ovens, the microwave ovens and the coolers.—
David J. Neal,
Miami Herald,
14 Feb. 2025
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Instead of dirtying a larger pot for your supporting dishes, this quaint cooker will come in handy for quick (or slower simmering) concoctions while matching your kitchen atmosphere.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Slowing down enforcement could be considered a license to pollute — but industry would have to take a leap of faith that enforcers won’t catch up with them.—
Jan Ellen Spiegel,
Hartford Courant,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Loosening wastewater rules will pollute soil and negatively impact crops even more, McBride said.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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