befoul

verb

be·​foul bi-ˈfau̇(-ə)l 

bē-

befouled; befouling; befouls

transitive verb

1

: to make foul (as with dirt or waste)

2

: sully, soil, besmirch

scandal befouled his reputation

Synonyms

• stain
• blacken
• dirty
• sully
• besmirch
• soil
• muck

Examples of befoul in a Sentence

pollutants that befoul the air and water

unsightly mud and slush befouls the family car every winter

Recent Examples on the Web

The natural world may be past saving, particularly as a habitat for the species that has so utterly befouled it, and, yet, what else is there to do but keep on keeping on? —Nick Paumgarten, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2025

Capitalism is degrading us, killing us and befouling our world. —Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 8 June 2023

At a 2019 commencement address, Mr. Adams told a story about intimidating a neighbor whose dog was befouling his yard. —Emma G. Fitzsimmons, New York Times, 1 June 2023

This roman à clef series begins with the patriarch of the Roy clan, Logan (Brian Cox), urinating on a carpet (evoking The Big Lebowski, befouling us). —Armond White, National Review, 5 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for befoul

• afoul
• wildfowl
• foul
• foule
• fowl
• growl
• howl
• jowl
• owl
• prowl
• scowl
• waterfowl

Kids Definition

befoul

verb

be·​foul bi-ˈfau̇(ə)l 

: to make dirty : soil