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 The investigation into the matter is ongoing, and crime scene investigators continue to collect and process evidence from the scene to ensure no additional foul play was involved. Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2023 His cause of death is still currently pending, but no foul play is expected. Dory Jackson, Peoplemag, 21 Nov. 2023 There were no signs of foul play or drugs on the scene. Zack Sharf, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023 Moore’s cause of death has not yet been determined, but foul play is not suspected, Sheriff Mike Le Roux said. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023 Emergency officials responded to a call for a cardiac arrest, ABC News reported, and though an official cause of death has not been reported there were no signs of trauma or foul play, unnamed sources told ABC. Ana Faguy, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Officials did not release Moore's cause of death, but said that foul play is not suspected. Stephen Smith, CBS News, 13 Nov. 2023 Hunt, who noted that no foul play was involved, added that an autopsy was not performed because of the condition of the body when it was found. Timothy Bella, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 Although the department reports that no signs of foul play were reported or observed, an autopsy is pending for the exact cause of death. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 9 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foul play.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near foul play

Cite this Entry

“Foul play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foul%20play. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

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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