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 No cause of death has been determined, but Stockton Police said there don't appear to be signs of foul play, per KOVR and KXTV. Brian Brant, Peoplemag, 22 Apr. 2024 But what tips her off in the first place to the possibility of Jean’s foul play isn’t physical evidence but a bit of gossip. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Apr. 2024 But Dickie’s girlfriend, Marge Sherwood (Dakota Fanning), has her suspicions about their new friend, which grow after Dickie mysteriously disappears and Tom is questioned about foul play. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024 There was no evidence of foul play and nothing to suggest anything other than Strain accidentally falling into the river, police said. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2024 Police have emphasized there are no signs of trauma or foul play. Audrey Conklin, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2024 Suspecting foul play, the woman trams up with a manipulative hacker and cybersecurity expert to try to dig deeper. Patrick Frater, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 No details were given of how the death was thought to have occurred, but the office said foul play was not suspected. Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 11 Apr. 2024 The Enterprise-Record reported Radtke left a note in his vehicle and there is no evidence of foul play. Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 31 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foul play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near foul play

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

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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