afoul of
preposition
1
: in or into conflict with
ran afoul of the law
2
: in or into collision or entanglement with
Examples of afoul of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The test flight, called SN8, ran afoul of federal regulators because the company moved forward with the launch without obtaining weather clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration.
—
Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The good guys run afoul of a network of white supremacists who basically run the country.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Those rules, which required automakers to make their new vehicle fleets cleaner, on average, over time, are being dialed down — which means automakers can make more big gas- and diesel-powered trucks and fewer EVs without running afoul of federal regulations.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 15 Dec. 2025
Trying to help Gary and his family, Judy and Nick run afoul of powerful businessman Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn), who has designs on expanding Tundratown.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
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Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
The good guys run afoul of a network of white supremacists who basically run the country.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 15 Dec. 2025
Those rules, which required automakers to make their new vehicle fleets cleaner, on average, over time, are being dialed down — which means automakers can make more big gas- and diesel-powered trucks and fewer EVs without running afoul of federal regulations.
—Camila Domonoske, NPR, 15 Dec. 2025
Trying to help Gary and his family, Judy and Nick run afoul of powerful businessman Milton Lynxley (David Strathairn), who has designs on expanding Tundratown.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
Cite this Entry
“Afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afoul%20of. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
afoul of
preposition1
: in or into collision or entanglement with
one ship ran afoul of the other
2
: in or into conflict with
they fell afoul of the law
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