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foil

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb foil differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foil are baffle, balk, frustrate, and thwart. While all these words mean "to check or defeat another's plan or block achievement of a goal," foil implies checking or defeating so as to discourage further effort.

foiled by her parents, he stopped trying to see her

When would baffle be a good substitute for foil?

The words baffle and foil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, baffle implies frustration by confusing or puzzling.

baffled by the maze of rules and regulations

When is balk a more appropriate choice than foil?

While the synonyms balk and foil are close in meaning, balk suggests the interposing of obstacles or hindrances.

officials felt that legal restrictions had balked their efforts to control crime

In what contexts can frustrate take the place of foil?

While in some cases nearly identical to foil, frustrate implies making vain or ineffectual all efforts however vigorous or persistent.

frustrated attempts at government reform

When might thwart be a better fit than foil?

The synonyms thwart and foil are sometimes interchangeable, but thwart suggests frustration or checking by crossing or opposing.

the army thwarted his attempt at a coup

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 foil
Verb
But the plot was foiled by a joint effort between the SBU and the Polish internal security service (ABW). Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025 The twilight of the tennis sandwich generation, foiled by the Big Three, Sinner and Alcaraz The generation of men's players born in the 1990s who looked set to challenge Federer, Nadal and Djokovic have seen tennis pass them by. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 16 June 2025
Noun
Remove the foil in the last 10 to 15 minutes to brown the food. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 June 2025 And through the learning experience of taking the foil off, undoing the metal and having the cork ready, there was like three or four guys that popped their corks. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for foil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foil
Verb
  • Williams often got frustrated with him and told him to be quiet.
    Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 July 2025
  • Others are frustrated by the sheer volume of low-effort AI content flooding their feeds.
    Zach Vallese, CNBC, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Oil, meanwhile, sold off during the recent conflict in a way that few expected, and in contrast to typical oil price increases during conflicts in the Middle East.
    Siena Griffin, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • This is in contrast to people with Alzheimer’s disease, where it’s known that elevated p-tau217 contributes to the brain pathology seen in that condition.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Russia's ambitions to produce more military aircraft are being thwarted by a shortage of components caused by sanctions and a growing labor shortage, it has been reported.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 July 2025
  • The ruling also bolsters Trump’s frequent claims that his expansive use of his executive powers has been unfairly thwarted by judicial overreach.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 27 June 2025
Noun
  • Integration with Transit: AVs should serve as a complement to, not a replacement for, public transportation.
    Regina Clewlow, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Heat mainstays Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro were believed to be off-limits in any potential trade for Durant, with the thought that Durant would have arrived as a complement to the two.
    Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • But Bird also throws a devastating slider to right-handers and a curveball that can baffle.
    Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
  • The topic, added late to the ACIP agenda and without much detail, has baffled some vaccine experts.
    Liz Neporent, ABC News, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • So, what makes Korean collagen supplements particularly special?
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 July 2025
  • The main goal of the supplement is to increase potassium levels, while chloride helps with electrolyte balance.
    Merve Ceylan, Health, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 30 June 2025
  • Maintain a safe distance from large vehicles - Trucks or buses can produce a water spray that hampers visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Poetry in the Soil: Thematic Roots of the Exhibition Mutu’s enigmatic works do not mimic or mock classical aesthetics but create a contemporary counterpoint.
    Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The Catholic Church has become a leading counterpoint to Trump’s immigration policies and tactics.
    Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foil. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on foil

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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