as in to frustrate
to prevent from achieving a goal
in popular fiction the hero will always foil the villain's plans
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in contrast
something or someone that is different from another especially in a pleasing way
This cool, refreshing salad is the perfect foil for spicy foods.
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foil
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Against Fulham in February 2024, when Aston Villa played with Torres and another left-footer in Clement Lenglet, Unai Emery intelligently adjusted the system to foil Fulham’s press, including a specific goal-kick routine.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Verb
Bad snap foiled any chance for Carter Davis to do anything.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 1 Sep. 2025
Against Fulham in February 2024, when Aston Villa played with Torres and another left-footer in Clement Lenglet, Unai Emery intelligently adjusted the system to foil Fulham’s press, including a specific goal-kick routine.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2025
Noun
To reheat, wrap muffins in foil.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Coel, the boundary-pushing revelation from I May Destroy You, is a perfect foil, hiding Lori’s feelings behind her deadpan delivery, unblinking sphinx-like stare and wary body language but poised to shoot barbs when the moment calls for them.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
Verb
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Ciccone was frustrated to find research was largely focused on boys.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
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It’s left supporters on Capitol Hill delighted, frustrated, or wondering what’s next.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In that spirit, the exhibition resists the expectation that women and non-binary artists must define themselves in contrast to a male norm.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
11 Sep. 2025
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In contrast to conventional phases of matter, the non-equilibrium quantum ones are defined by their dynamical and time-evolving properties.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One miscue was a fumble into the end zone from the two-yard line, which thwarted a long drive late in the third quarter.—
Mike Waters,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Kansas City Royals arrived in Philadelphia looking to thwart the red-hot Phillies and keep alive their slim playoff hopes.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The Puzzle Me screen reader works as a complement to other screen reader technology.—
Patrick Merrell,
PEOPLE,
12 Sep. 2025
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The best results come from collaboration—writers, designers and strategists working together to make sure the visuals and messaging complement each other.—
Kristine Johnson,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The result is a set of policies that has baffled some China experts, or at least raised questions about the president’s stance on America’s friendly rival.—
Christian Datoc,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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In the last few years, researchers have stumbled upon baffling signals from deep space, uncovered strange features hiding beneath our oceans, and found clues that hint at life’s secrets on other worlds.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The fatty acid is available as a supplement.—
Lindsay Cook,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
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Some of Jordan’s patients have had good luck with supplements containing an herb called maca.—
Sam Manzella,
Flow Space,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And the new administration may be further hampering those plans.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
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Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The polar figures of 16th-century Italian choral music, Palestrina, the Apollonian master of elegant counterpoint, and Gesualdo, the violent renegade of plangent harmonies, meet on the same program presented by Miller Theater.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
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For those who think terroir is a wine-world concept, this bottle offers a compelling counterpoint — one that’s distinctly Mexican, deeply artisanal — and tastes as layered as its story.—
Gina Pace,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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