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
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Recent Examples of foul play
Investigators do not suspect foul play.
—
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
There were no signs of blood or foul play found at the car.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Authorities said in a news release Monday morning that the death is believed to be due to medical complications, and no foul play was suspected.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
She’s spent most of her career inspecting dead bodies for signs of foul play.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2026
There were no signs of blood or foul play found at the car.
—Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman, 7 Apr. 2026
Authorities said in a news release Monday morning that the death is believed to be due to medical complications, and no foul play was suspected.
—Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
She’s spent most of her career inspecting dead bodies for signs of foul play.
—Susanne Rust
follow, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for foul play
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foul play
Noun
-
At the time of Garrison’s murder, twenty-eight people had already been charged.—
Patrick Radden Keefe,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Detectives booked Avon Owens, 18, and another unidentified 18-year-old for murder and the use of a firearm during the commission of a murder on April 10, 2026.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Esther says Kim told her that, at times, that need for control boiled over into violence.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Emmline Toussaint, main coordinator of Mary’s Meals' BND school-feeding program in Haiti, said that gas stations in some regions are selling fuel 25% to 30% higher than even what the government stipulated because of gang violence and difficulties with trucks trying to access certain areas.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The suspect has been charged with first- and third-degree assault for the incident, but charges are expected to be amended by the Hennepin County Attorney's Office to include homicide.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The seven defendants are charged with culpable homicide, a crime similar to involuntary manslaughter that alleges that the accused were aware that their reckless conduct posed a risk and failed to prevent it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That, of course, and the occasional ghostly presences, unsettling cries, and blood dripping from the ceiling.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Greene made the catch, and Meadows landed on his back in a daze, barely moving with his hands pointed up and blood on his face.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Washington wanted to test if the Iranian command, after seeing the destruction from six weeks of war and the killing of its Supreme Leader, would now bend to its will, experts said.—
Saeed Shah,
Time,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Hezbollah has a new org chart Hezbollah has gone back to basics since that pager attack, and Israel's killing later that same month of Nasrallah, Jihad says.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foul%20play. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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