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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At this point, the most scientists can hope for is that the US legal system ultimately acknowledges that the decision to cut their funding runs afoul of these congressional directives. ArsTechnica, 9 July 2025 Most Americans don’t invest enough to run afoul of the annual dollar contribution limits. Russ Wiles, AZCentral.com, 8 July 2025 Some locations have run afoul of rules about hours, work permits and rest breaks in the past. Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 For similar reasons, the Modell Law might run afoul of the Privileges and Immunities Clause found in Article 4, Section 2. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 30 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for afoul of

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of afoul of was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afoul%20of. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

afoul of

preposition
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
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