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befoul

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verb be·foul \bi-ˈfau̇(-ə)l, bē-\

Definition of befoul

  1. transitive verb

  2. 1 :  to make foul (as with dirt or waste)

  3. 2 :  sully, soil, besmirch scandal befouled his reputation

See befoul defined for English-language learners

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Examples of befoul in a Sentence

  1. pollutants that befoul the air and water

  2. unsightly mud and slush befouls the family car every winter

12th Century

First Known Use of befoul

12th century

befoul Synonyms

Synonyms
dirty, begrime, bemire, besmirch, blacken, daub, distain [archaic], foul, gaum [dialect], grime, mire, muck, muddy, smirch, smudge, soil, stain, sully
Antonyms
clean, cleanse
Related Words
contaminate, defile, pollute, taint; discolor; confuse, disarrange, disarray, dishevel, disorder, draggle, jumble, mess, muddle; colly [chiefly British dialect], crock [dialect]
Near Antonyms
decontaminate, purge, purify; disinfect, sanitize; brush, dry-clean, dust, launder, mop, rinse, scour, scrub, sweep, wash, wipe; brighten, deodorize, freshen, renew, spruce (up); straighten (up), tidy (up)

BEFOUL Defined for English Language Learners

befoul

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verb

Definition of befoul for English Language Learners

  • : to make (a substance, place, etc.) dirty

Learn More about befoul

  1. See words that rhyme with befoul Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for befoul

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Examples: befoul in a Sentence