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 federal lawsuit alleges that the city’s Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise program runs afoul of equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

In Presidio's case, the development district is arguing that Homeland Security is running afoul of the Rivers and Harbors Act. — ABC News, 22 July 2026

Instead of getting its house in order, Michigan allowed that culture to continue under Moore, who repeatedly ran afoul of NCAA rules and university policies before he was fired. — Austin Meek, New York Times, 21 July 2026

In France, however, both GLP-1 giants have already fallen afoul of advertising rules. — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 21 July 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