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 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 The circumstances of her death were not immediately clear, but a person with knowledge of the situation said there were no indications of foul play or suicide. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 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 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 boy was booked into Placer County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of murder, Gaines said.
    — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Three men in Mexico received 158-year prison sentences Friday for the murders of Australian surfers Callum and Jake Robinson and their American friend Carter Redd Rhoad.
    — Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of murder
Noun
  • Some lawmakers worry broadcasting the execution could inspire more violence.
    — Erin Jones, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Blending psychological drama with raw folk horror steeped in the West Slavic mythology of Kashubia, Òpi explores violence, repression and the horrors inherited from one generation to the next.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of violence
Noun
  • Roughly a dozen agents from Quantico, Virginia, and Philadelphia homicide detectives are processing the home and surrounding the property.
    — Joe Holden, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The police department said the tip was flagged as spam and was never forwarded to homicide investigators.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of homicide
Noun
  • Hutch seemed unhurt beyond a twisted knee, but Ed, stripped naked, was a mass of small cuts and bright greening bruises that made an awful background for ridges of clotted blood.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The survey data included morning blood draws from fasting military members.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of blood
Noun
  • In August, Israel indicted a settler in the killing of a Palestinian activist.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026
  • As Morris was facing trial for Parker’s killing, Ezell Finklea, a 61-year-old military veteran and witness who cooperated with Miami-Dade prosecutors despite threats to his life, was gunned down.
    — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 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 21 Oct. 2026.

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