foul play

noun

: violence

especially : murder

Synonyms of foul play

• murder
• homicide
• blood
• killing

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

Officials did say there were no initial indications of foul play. — Harry Harris, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Detectives don’t suspect foul play, and his cause of death is pending an autopsy, sheriff’s office spokesman Adam Linhardt said. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026

Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd, whose office received Wells’ body the day it was found, said there were no immediate, obvious signs of foul play or trauma on Wells’ body. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026

While conducting the welfare check, officers found evidence suggesting foul play, police said. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foul play

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

foul play

noun

: unfair dealing : dishonest conduct

especially : violence sense 1

a victim of foul play