foul play

noun

Synonyms of foul playnext
: 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.
Trump successfully distracted some MAGA folks from the Epstein case and the possibility that someone who accused him of foul play might be legit. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2026 Page did not elaborate on those issues, and investigators have said there is no evidence of foul play. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 8 Mar. 2026 Video assistant referee Paul Howard got in touch to recommend that Bankes review Dobson’s challenge on the pitchside monitor, as serious foul play (a straight red card offence) may have been missed. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2026 There is no suspicion of foul play at this time, police said. Paula Wethington, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026 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 13 Mar. 2026.

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

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