Synonyms of foul play

foul play

noun

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

• murder
• homicide
• blood
• killing
• slaying
• massacre
• execution
• rubout
• slaughter
• assassination
• mercy killing
• manslaughter
• destruction
• carnage
• bloodshed
• chance-medley
• decimation
• butchery
• hit
• euthanasia
• regicide
• parricide
• fratricide
• matricide
• filicide
• uxoricide
• patricide

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

• violence
• assault
• injury
• brutality
• terror
• force
• attack
• compulsion
• pressure
• battery
• coercion
• damage
• riot
• impairment
• harm
• hurt
• outrage
• constraint
• savagery
• threat
• detriment
• barbarity
• duress
• revolt
• beating
• mutilation
• whipping
• mayhem
• crippling
• pommeling
• thrashing
• shock
• smashing
• fury
• bashing
• turbulence
• flogging
• whaling
• mauling
• paddling
• clubbing
• hammering
• thumping
• rage
• pummeling
• maiming
• rupture
• pounding
• outbreak
• upheaval
• drubbing
• licking
• rampage
• onslaught
• bullying
• buffeting
• battering
• batting
• frenzy
• belting
• pelting
• lacing
• paroxysm
• bulldozing
• tumult
• cudgeling
• uproar
• bludgeoning
• walloping
• storm
• tromping
• browbeating
• socking
• hectoring
• strong-arming

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• nonviolence
• pacifism
• pacificism

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foul play

Public safety officials said there was no evidence of foul play, and an autopsy ha been scheduled. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

According to Morais, investigators did not initially observe any obvious signs of foul play. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Sep. 2026

McCabe said there was no obvious evidence of foul play at the scene and that a death investigation was underway. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026

At the time of the incident, the Tesla vehicle was not in autopilot mode, while a CHP officer told the Los Angeles Times it was believed to be an accident with no signs of foul play. — Adam England, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026