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
According to the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), which represents Avelo’s crew members, the union has raised serious concerns about the airline’s participation in ICE deportation flights, saying Avelo may be running afoul of FAA safety regulations.
—
Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
At times, his beliefs, like his advocacy for beef tallow and encouragement of more red meat in diets, have run afoul of both public health experts and industry players, like McDonald’s.
—Kate Rogers,amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Stewart worries that the listings risk running afoul of copyright on product photos, or of agreements with her own suppliers — themselves mostly independent brands — that prohibit reselling products on Amazon.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the most powerful Republicans in Florida has proposed a bill that would allow Broward County’s two hospital districts to form public and private deals and businesses together more easily, without running afoul of federal antitrust laws.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
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Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
At times, his beliefs, like his advocacy for beef tallow and encouragement of more red meat in diets, have run afoul of both public health experts and industry players, like McDonald’s.
—Kate Rogers,amelia Lucas, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2026
Stewart worries that the listings risk running afoul of copyright on product photos, or of agreements with her own suppliers — themselves mostly independent brands — that prohibit reselling products on Amazon.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026
One of the most powerful Republicans in Florida has proposed a bill that would allow Broward County’s two hospital districts to form public and private deals and businesses together more easily, without running afoul of federal antitrust laws.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026
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 11 Jan. 2026.
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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