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
Fabianne Therese plays a young woman on a hike in the woods with her boyfriend (Seann William Scott) who runs afoul of a bizarre, imposing figure (pro wrestler Max the Impaler) with a porcelain doll mask intent on raising her as a child.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The Gerodemos family is no stranger to running afoul of the law.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The latest arrests aren't the first time monks have run afoul of drug laws.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Beyond the professional breach involved with such arrangements, the payments could run afoul of congressional ethics rules.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 2026
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 1 May 2026
The Gerodemos family is no stranger to running afoul of the law.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
The latest arrests aren't the first time monks have run afoul of drug laws.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Beyond the professional breach involved with such arrangements, the payments could run afoul of congressional ethics rules.
—ABC News, 24 Apr. 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 5 May. 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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