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
Running afoul of the law can carry criminal penalties in many states.
—
Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 May 2025
Gary Councilwoman Lori Lathan, newly appointed to the commission, kick-started a discussion of how the agency can continue to push for things like air quality improvement without referring to climate change or otherwise running afoul of Trump’s edicts.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
Here’s what some of them have said - or not said - since Combs has been accused of running afoul of the law.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
In at least two other states, Musk’s companies have run afoul of regulators and have been cited or fined for allegedly breaking environmental rules — Tesla in California, and SpaceX and The Boring Co. in Texas.
—Stephanie Gosk, NBC news, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for afoul of
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Sam Gringlas, NPR, 21 May 2025
Gary Councilwoman Lori Lathan, newly appointed to the commission, kick-started a discussion of how the agency can continue to push for things like air quality improvement without referring to climate change or otherwise running afoul of Trump’s edicts.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
Here’s what some of them have said - or not said - since Combs has been accused of running afoul of the law.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 16 May 2025
In at least two other states, Musk’s companies have run afoul of regulators and have been cited or fined for allegedly breaking environmental rules — Tesla in California, and SpaceX and The Boring Co. in Texas.
—Stephanie Gosk, NBC news, 15 May 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 28 May. 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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