afoul of

preposition

ə-ˈfau̇-ləv 

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 timing of the letters and subpoenas, which were sent out in recent days, appear to run afoul of the Justice Department's own internal guidelines and historic norms limiting investigative steps ahead of a national election. — Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

In a rare lead role, one that gives him a frankly magnificent coat, Turturro adds to his late-career renaissance as an old-school pickpocket who runs afoul of a Gen-Z mobster. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

But Romo ran afoul of his assignment when he was arrested on July 23, after a traffic stop on southbound Interstate 43 near downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Beyond domestic challenges, CATL is also scrambling to build more plants in Europe to avoid running afoul of increasing EU protectionism. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

afoul "fouled, tangled," from a- entry 1 + foul entry 1

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for afoul of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

afoul of

preposition

ə-ˈfau̇-ləv 

1

: 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