✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

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.
An autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death, but police noted foul play is not suspected. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 26 Nov. 2025 Investigators earlier said no foul play was suspected. David Chiu, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025 Based on preliminary information, investigators do not believe that foul play or suspicious circumstances were involved. Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 24 Nov. 2025 Detectives do not suspect foul play, and the cause of his death is pending autopsy results, Lihardt added. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!