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

Although this native plant garden had run afoul of code inspectors, Brodeur urged Sacramento residents to consider ripping out their lawns to provide pockets of habitat to urban wildlife. — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Former first-round pick James Pearce ran afoul of the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy and is suspended the first eight games of the season. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Advisors also warn that many trust assets could fall afoul of foreign-investment reporting rules issued in July, potentially inviting scrutiny from foreign-exchange authorities over how the money left China in the first place. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026

With equity funding, nobody would have run afoul of the new rule. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 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