foul play

noun

: violence
especially : murder

Examples of foul play in a Sentence

There is no evidence of foul play. the coroner ruled that there was no evidence of foul play
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.
Once there, Glick quickly gathered information that contradicted claims the authorities had made in ruling out foul play. Eren Orbey, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025 No obvious signs of foul play were detected, per Fox 26 Houston. Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 The identities of the two boys and their cause of death were not immediately released, but foul play is not suspected, according to WFAA. Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Oct. 2025 Police ruled out foul play and determined that Henry’s official cause of death was asphyxiation leading to heart failure. Elizabeth Yuko, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for foul play

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foul play was in 1546

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

foul play

noun
: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct
especially : violence sense 1
a victim of foul play

More from Merriam-Webster on foul play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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