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

Police previously told OutKick Dropkick there were no signs of foul play and his death wasn’t considered to be suspicious. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Authorities said there was no evidence of foul play, while circumstances leading up to the fall remain unclear. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

The circumstances of her death were not immediately clear, but a person with knowledge of the situation said there were no indications of foul play or suicide. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2026

But one detective on the investigative team, Dick Martin, was convinced there was foul play. — Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 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