foul 1 of 2

adjective

ˈfau̇(-ə)l How to pronounce foul (audio)
Definition of foulnext
1
as in disgusting
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment a foul taste that made us gag

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2
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

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3
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

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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

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5
as in stinking
having an unpleasant smell the foul fumes from the paper mill

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6
as in filthy
not clean I wouldn't play in the foul rainwater that's collected in the feeding trough

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foul

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to dirty
to make dirty the mechanic fouled the bath towels with axle grease

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2
as in to pollute
to make unfit for use by the addition of something harmful or undesirable industrial pollution fouling the water supply

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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

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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

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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective foul differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of foul are dirty, filthy, nasty, and squalid. While all these words mean "conspicuously unclean or impure," foul implies extreme offensiveness and an accumulation of what is rotten or stinking; it can also describe, for example, loathsome behavior.

a foul-smelling open sewer
a foul story of lust and greed

When can dirty be used instead of foul?

Although the words dirty and foul have much in common, dirty emphasizes the presence of dirt more than an emotional reaction to it or, figuratively, stresses meanness or despicableness.

a dirty littered street
don't ask me to do your dirty work

When could filthy be used to replace foul?

The meanings of filthy and foul largely overlap; however, filthy carries a strong suggestion of offensiveness and typically of gradually accumulated dirt that begrimes and besmears. Figuratively, it can also describe disgusting obscenity.

a stained greasy floor, utterly filthy
filthy street language

How is nasty related to other words for foul?

Nasty applies to what is actually foul or is repugnant to one expecting freshness, cleanliness, or sweetness; in practice, however, nasty is often weakened to the point of being no more than a synonym of unpleasant or disagreeable. When used figuratively, nasty implies a peculiarly offensive unpleasantness.

it's a nasty job to clean up after a sick cat
had a nasty fall
his answer gave her a nasty shock
a stand-up comedian known for nasty humor

When would squalid be a good substitute for foul?

In some situations, the words squalid and foul are roughly equivalent. However, squalid adds to the idea of dirtiness and filth that of slovenly neglect. Distinctively, its figurative use implies sordidness as well as baseness and dirtiness.

squalid slums
engaged in a series of squalid affairs

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
Adjective
An AccuWeather forecast map reveals fair and foul Halloween weather across the country. —Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025 Instead of the slow, masked killers people were used to, Freddy Krueger was a quick-witted, foul-mouthed, charismatic villain who could kill people in their dreams, oftentimes dragging them down into his nightmarish boiler room before finishing them off. —Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
With the Rockets up one, Durant fouled Gilgeous-Alexander with two seconds left, picking up his sixth personal foul and exiting the game. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025 Despite multiple opportunities to close out the game, the Rockets fell 125-124 in double overtime after superstar Kevin Durant fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with roughly two seconds left, allowing two made free throws that handed the Thunder the win. —Cole Sullivan, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul
  1. disgusting
  2. turbulent
  3. unfair
  4. obscene
  5. stinking
  6. filthy
  7. dirty
  8. pollute
Adjective
  • By modern standards, kind of disgusting.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
  • But stepping into that closet was really disgusting.
    — Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • The Dallas Mavericks fired general manager Nico Harrison on Tuesday, marking the end of a turbulent tenure defined by bold moves, fan unrest, and a season that spiraled after the controversial Luka Dončić trade.
    — Andy Scholes, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Prewitt, who has led IFTA and the AFM through some of the most turbulent years in the history of independent film — through the rise of streaming and the collapse of the theatrical market, the COVID shutdowns and the dual strikes — will be stepping down after this year’s AFM.
    — Kevin Cassidy, HollywoodReporter, 11 Nov. 2025
Definition of turbulent
Adjective
  • As a result, the tippee has an unfair advantage as measured against the other participants in the capital markets, who do not have access to this material nonpublic information.
    — Samidh Guha, ABC News, 9 Nov. 2025
  • In the meantime, the day-to-day work is on us—looking at our money honestly, making strategic moves, and refusing to let an unfair system keep us from building something better for ourselves and the next generation.
    — Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 7 Nov. 2025
Definition of unfair
Adjective
  • Banners containing commercial, political or obscene material, or that block guest views.
    — Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 4 Nov. 2025
  • Just another week in the world of Ball, who was fined $35,000 by the NBA on Monday for making an obscene gesture in the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 144-117 loss to Miami.
    — Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of obscene
Adjective
  • Four plays, 76 yards, in 25 stinking seconds.
    — David Aldridge, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Definition of stinking
Adjective
  • The couple slept on a filthy mattress on the floor with their 4-year-old son, Stephano.
    — Daniel Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
  • The big comedy set pieces overwhelm Miller’s attempts at satire, but any movie that has Nicholson casually dropping filthy double (and single) entendres beneath arched eyebrows is worth a look.
    — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Definition of filthy
Verb
  • The ashes from the crematorium chimney covered the streets, sooted the rain, dirtied the snow, damaged the crops, infected every body.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
  • At Dilara Findikoglu, models looked like ladies in waiting that had risen from the dead; wearing antiquated corsetry that was dirtied and torn.
    — Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Definition of dirty
Verb
  • If it’s harvested from an area that’s been polluted, there’s a possibility it could be contaminated with unsafe minerals like mercury or arsenic.
    — Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In contrast to polluting polyester, these fibers are biodegradable and will naturally decompose after disposal.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2025
Definition of pollute

Phrases Containing foul

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fought shy of
foul
fouled
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Cite this Entry

“Foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

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More from Merriam-Webster on foul

Nglish: Translation of foul for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about foul

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